Board OK's drug dog for sheriff

Wahkiakum County Commissioners on Tuesday gave their approval for the sheriff's department to add a drug detection dog to their ranks.

Deputy Sheriff Gary Howell, the department's drug specialist, will become the handler of Dakota, a yearling female golden labrador.

Sheriff Jon Dearmore, who was a dog handler in the 1990s, said the program came together quickly.

A man offered a free, partially trained dog that seemed promising he said. Dearmore gave the dog some tests and concluded it had could maintain the sustained interest in an activity that it takes to be a drug dog.

Because there is no money in the budget for a canine program, Dearmore sought pledges and donations. Many people have pledged to pay the dog's food bill; a veterinarian has offered free care, and a trainer will also provide free service.

The addition will require Howell to work with the dog and have training in canine drug detection. Dearmore said his shift would be adjusted to give him four hours of compensatory time each week in a nod to a labor union's demand that the deputy be paid for caring for the dog in off duty hours.

Overall, Dearmore said, he would budget $1,000 for the project.

Commissioners Lisa Marsyla, Dan Cothren and Blair Brady said they would continue to support the program.

The board also agreed to support a plan that would funnel reduced state Street Crimes Meth Pilot Funding into the sheriff's department to cover Howell's salary.

In 2005, the state formed a Meth Pilot Prject that channeled funds into regions for targeting illegal methamphetamine activity. The funds were split between prosecutors, court clerks, and sheriff's departments.

Dearmore said the program has been very successful, but Governor Chris Gregoire planned to cut it as a budget reduction. The legislature restored funding at a reduced level, and Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow and Clerk Kay Holland agreed the funds should continue to fund Howell's position.

Finally, the board approved Dearmore's request to act quickly and buy a Chevy Tahoe patrol car to replace the department's 2002 Tahoe.

A retailer ordered several vehicles for another county, he said, but they came in the wrong colors and are surplus. Other departments are interested, so the county needed to act fast.

The vehicle will cost $32,659.09, and retrofitting will bring the total to $34.859.09. The sheriff has $31,269.72 available; commissioners approved the purchase when officials outlined a plan to have a special payment to make up the difference.