CARMI — Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter is asking for your help in securing a new Police K9 for the police department.

Carter says current K9 Orest came to the department in July 2012 after K9 Riley retired from service. K9 Orest is retiring due to health reasons after seven years of service. Police canines usually have a service life of six to eight years.

Carter says the initial cost for the canine is $16,500. This cost includes the canine as well as the training for the canine and handler and the state certification. The canine would be a full-service canine that would be trained in many areas of law enforcement including officer protection, criminal apprehension, building searches, evidence recovery, crowd control, article/drug searches, tracking of wanted or missing people and community programs.

Carter says individuals and businesses have assisted the canine program in the past and appreciates their support. He hopes future businesses and individuals will do the same.

If you are interested in helping the police department secure a new canine, go to this story on our website’s news page or call 382-4633. You can also email Chief Carter at chief@carmipd.com.