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Sheriff’s office accepts donated canine tracking devices and donations for K-9 program; court hears K‑9 replacement costs
Summary
Commissioners accepted an anonymous donation covering four Visitec Spy Spot canine-tracking units (total $1,301.52) and a separate $200 gift for the sheriff’s K-9 program; the sheriff reported one dog was retired early for health reasons and replacement dogs can cost $10,000–$15,000 each.
The Harrison County Commissioners Court on Jan. 17 accepted two donations to the sheriff’s office and heard a K-9 program status update.
The court approved acceptance of an anonymous donation to purchase four Visitec Spy Spot tracking devices for county canines, totaling $1,301.52. County presenters said the units use a combination of GPS and other signals so handlers can locate a dog that becomes separated from its handler at night or in difficult terrain; the devices carry $10-per-month monitoring fees after the first year, the sheriff’s office said.
Separately, the court accepted a $200 donation from David Thomas to the Harrison County Sheriff’s K-9 program.
Sheriff Marvin (listed in the meeting as "Marvin") told the court the department currently has four K-9s but is one dog short after an early retirement for health reasons. He said single-purpose dogs the department previously purchased cost around $10,000 each and dual-purpose dogs are typically $15,000 and up. The sheriff said the department will pursue fundraising and other options to replace the retired dog.
Commissioners approved both donations 5-0. The sheriff’s office also told the court it would pay ongoing monitoring fees for the tracking devices after the initial year included in the donation.
