WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Warner Robins Police Department K-9 unit needs top votes to be considered for a grant that would give them more opportunities for their handlers and partners against Crime.
"The grants are going to be used to buy new equipment. Generally, dogs are chewers they like to chew on things, so the toys that we use for rewards."
Lieutenant James Bish is one of the handlers for the unit. His best partner is Kastor. They've been together for a few years now. He says the money would help them replace some of the items their six dogs use daily.
"They wear out, they need replacing. We have leashes, harnesses, rewards for six dogs. It can get expensive so that's what generally the money if we get it would be used for."
Aftermath is an organization that helps with crime scene cleanup. Bish told 13WMAZ, they do a yearly grant for agencies to apply for. Officer Michael Opitz has been working with the unit for almost six years. He says it's a dream to work with the dogs.
"I enjoy dogs. I enjoy dogs in my personal life and my working life. They are just some of the best things to be around that make you happy even when you're at your lowest time," Opitz said.
Opitz works with K-9 Brita. Opitz said having a K-9 unit is beneficial for the department.
"We've been able to locate a missing juvenile, we've located several wanted people, I've been able to locate a gun used in a robbery," Opitz said.
Bish told 13WMAZ the six dogs can work with the SWAT team, U.S. Marshall, and other local police agencies like Perry Police Department.
The six dogs in the unit include Brita, Kastor, Dixo, Argo, Omega, and Jerry. Their specialties range from tracking, apprehension, narcotics, and bombs.
One of their former dogs, Kojak, retired from the K-9 unit October 31, 2022.
Voting for the grant ends at midnight.