The Knox County Sheriff’s Department’s new K-9 goes live in late September or early October and when she does, the county can expect a minimum return of about $10,000 — twice the dog’s purchase price — in less than a year.
That’s based on numbers provided by Sgt. Brian Brady, who referenced the performance of the department’s only other K-9, Edo.
Brady says Edo detected drugs in 20 to 25 vehicles since the K-9 joined the force last June. The owners of those vehicles had to pay $500 to reclaim their property, meaning $10,000 to $12,500 went to the county.
That doesn’t include revenue from the half dozen drug seizures each worth $1,000 or more.
Brady says once Hexa, the female German Shepherd purchased for $5,000 last month, is active, she will afford the added benefit of giving Edo a break.
“A second K-9 unit will allow us to not overuse deputy Edo,” Brady says. “The dogs are like people, they get worn out as well, so this way he’s not the only dog that we have.”
Deputy Greg Jennings is Edo’s handler. He says K-9s get tuckered out just like any other deputy.
“The more you use him, obviously, the more he’s going to be worked,” Jennings says. “He gets tired very quick. If he’s got a long day, he’s just like an average person. The more he works, the more tired he gets.”
Hexa’s handler will be Deputy Brad Davis.
