Clay Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New K-9 Unit

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has a new K-9 unit that has recently joined the force.

Sheriff Brandon Boone said K-9 Rip is a dual-purpose dog that specializes in narcotics and tracking.

“We’re in a position where we need to help try to curb some of the drug problems and issues we have in our county and city,” Boone said. “We need to try to do it and hopefully this will help.”

K-9 Rip joins Sergeant Tyler Thompson and will be on weekly shifts. Boone said he sees the unit being the most successful during traffic stops to search vehicles for drugs.

“The dog will be able to assist in getting reasons to be inside the vehicle, and we really hope that assists us with getting drugs off the streets,” Boone said.

Boone said the sheriff’s office has been without a K-9 unit for several years. Boone said that changed when deputies voiced that the community needed the service.

“I was approached by one of the deputies last year” Boone said. “We started inquiring about it. That deputy left the office, and then, Sergeant Tyler Thompson had come forward shortly after that and started really looking into wanting a dog.”

Boone said the handler spent 14-days in Ohio gaining the certification to use the K-9 unit.