Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond, members of the Command Staff, and the HCSO K-9 Unit hosted a press conference on Monday to recognize the generosity, support, and donations offered to them by the membership of the Chattanooga Dog Agility Club.
Recently, the Chattanooga Dog Agility Club donated over $5,000 to the HCSO K-9 Division for the purchase of equipment and the necessary fees for all five K-9 deputies to attend the 2016 K-9 Cop Conference and Vendor Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
The generous donation will help the HCSO K-9 Unit and provides new, updated pieces of equipment for their training and daily use.
On hand for the press conference were several members of the Chattanooga Dog Agility Club and the personnel of Play Dog Excellent in Red Bank.
The HCSO K-9 Unit consists of five deputies (handlers) and five K-9 deputies (dogs).
The HCSO K-9 unit consists of one Dutch Shepherd, one Chocolate Lab, and three Belgian Malinois.
Each K-9 deputy and handler costs approximately $15,000 to train. This price includes the price of the dog, and the training for both it and the handler.
The Chattanooga Dog Agility Club was founded four years ago by a group of people that train and compete in various dog sports such as agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding and flyball. The club's goal was to be able to host AKC Agility trials at a local venue, Play Dog Excellent. After completing all the requirements set forth by the AKC, the club hosted its first agility trial in April 2013. They have since hosted six more trials.
The trials have proven to be financially successful. As a non-profit, the club has chosen to give back to the local community. They have chosen the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit as our first benefactor.
Being dog trainers, they are well aware of the importance of having the proper tools and equipment necessary to train and execute correct behaviors. Their hope is that the donation of this equipment will make the job of the HCSO K-9 teams easier and more efficient.
The HCSO, especially the K-9 Unit, would like to thank the membership of the Chattanooga Dog Agility Club for their support and generous contribution.