The wait continues for Cloverdale K9 presence

Scott Stierwalt made a motion to start the K9 program immediately. The motion, however, died on the floor without receiving a second or further discussion. 

After having less than desirable results in the past with a K9 program, the wait will continue for Cloverdale officials and residents after a lengthy conversation amongst police and town officials during this week's town council meeting. 

The town council heard from Cloverdale Police officer Larry Freund, who told council about Redemption Ranch, a 501c3 that rescues dogs up for euthanasia and offers them to police departments to serve as a K9. 

"Several departments are going through this, and there is now an opening. It will be a narcotics K9 and that is why there is an opening. When we go to the training, it is a three week training course for the dog and handler. The dog is licensed under the State of Indiana. All the equipment, vets bills and re-certification is all provided," Freund told council. 

Council president Brandon Tancak asked Freund how many K9s there are in the county, and was told there are currently two for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and one for the Greencastle Police Department. 

"We only have so much time to get a dog there. We can't prolong that traffic stop anymore than what is reasonable. We have a small window of about 17 minutes to get that K9 there and use it effectively," Freund said. 

Tancak then asked in the officer's five months on night shift how many times has he called for a K9 and was told almost 20 times. Freund shared that he had gotten a K9 three times and each one was a positive indication for drugs. 

"The past, factual information is we have done well with K9 programs in the past. In my opinion, we are not ready to enter the K9 world again at this point in time," Tancak told his fellow councilors.

Cloverdale Town Council Vice President Brice Howell agreed.

"We need a K9 in this town with the drug problem we have in this town. We don't have a vehicle for it. With the training and everything, my opinion is we are not set up for this right now," Howell said. 

After a few more minutes of interaction and discussion, Scott Stierwalt made a motion to start the K9 program immediately.

"In my opinion, I think we are more than ready for it just due to the facts of the drug problem. We need to look at it a little bit closer. We have to find a way to be ready to expedite a way. This really should get some action taken on it," Stierwalt said as he made his motion. 

The motion, however, died on the floor without receiving a second or further discussion. 

Tancak then told Freund to come back with more information in the future.

The Cloverdale Town Council President told The Putnam County Post why he asked for more information in the future.

"It has been a while since we have had a K9, and in the past, for one reason or another, it just hasn't worked out with the previous K9's and handlers. What is important to keep in mind when deciding to bring this program back are a multitude of things. Cost being at the top of that list and just as important, there has to be a bond between the handler and the K9. You can't force or rush that. It has to come naturally. There are a lot of expensive things some might overlook and forget about that the town would be responsible for," Tancak told The Putnam County Post.

Tancak said he understands the need and desire for a K9, especially in the wake of a drug bust last week a mile from Cloverdale schools. 

"Do we need a K9? Yes, absolutely we do. When the time is right, we will, undoubtedly, give it another try," Tancak said.