Woodbury Police Canine Fund donates new K9; department to field city’s first firearm-detection dog

The Woodbury Police Canine Fund announced a donation that will cover the cost and training for a new police canine, bringing the city’s canine unit to eight animals funded by the nonprofit since its founding. Bob Bixby, president of the Woodbury Police Canine Fund, said the fund has raised about $140,000 to date and provides dogs, training and retirement support for the city’s canine program.

Natalie (surname not specified), speaking on behalf of the Woodbury Police Canine Unit, said the new dog — a German shepherd named Victor — will attend a three-month canine academy beginning the following Monday and will be trained in patrol skills and firearm detection. “This is exciting because, not only will Victor serve as our very first firearm detection dog of the city of Woodbury, but also the first in, all of Washington County,” she said. Officer Andrew Matson is Victor’s handler; Matson named the dog after a school mascot and has been bonding with the animal prior to academy.

City representatives thanked the Canine Fund for covering procurement, training and medical and end-of-life expenses for past dogs; Bixby said the fund was established in honor of Bruce Stafford and has supported seven canines, one community service dog and one therapy dog over ten years. The donation will allow the department to restore its full operational canine capacity after a recent canine partner’s unexpected illness and death.