New K-9 unit for Community Corrections

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A new K-9 unit will soon hit the streets in Tippecanoe County, but not with area police agencies. 

A labrador retriever will become the newest member of the Community Corrections Department. Executive Director Dave Heath said there aren't many Community Correction K-9 units in the state.  But he said with the amount of people enrolled in correction programs, the dog will be very useful, especially for random drug screenings.

"It will be able to go in homes of people who are on house arrest.  They have already agreed that they can be searched and there house can be searched. So, if there's an indication that there may be something that shouldn't be happening then the dog can go into the house," said Heath.

The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department donated a vehicle for the new K-9 Team.  Money to purchase the dog will come from Prosector Pat Harrington's pre-trial diversion fund, which includes money taken by police during drug seizures.