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Motorcycle ride raises money for K-9 unit
Dozens of motorcycle riders took off for a fundraiser to support the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit on Saturday morning.
WAUKESHA, Wis. - Dozens of motorcycle riders took off for a fundraiser to support the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit on Saturday morning.
What they're saying:
Deputy Sarah Bell was paired with K-9 Maia in March. The partners were certified two months later. Maia already had extensive training in The Netherlands before they even met – and most of the commands she knows are Dutch.
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"We rely on fundraising," Bell said.
The training adds up. Bell said each of the department’s four K-9s cost about $17,000. That doesn’t even cover equipment, like ballistic vests for the dogs.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department K-9 Maia
The benefit, Bell said, is a safer community.
"She does narcotic work, she also does apprehension work, tracking, searches," Bell said of Maia.
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It’s not just Maia joining the team this year. Bell said another K-9 will be needed this fall after a current one retires in September.
The bikers not only paid to participate in Saturday’s ride, they also helped raise money at a raffle and concert at Wisconsin Harley-Davidson in Oconomowoc. Bikers even got to see Maia show off some of her skills.
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For one driver in Waukesha County, it may have seemed like the sky was falling on Sunday, July 27 – and he will be telling this story for years.
"It’s a pretty expensive year for the K-9 unit, so fundraisers out here at Harley are very appreciated," Bell said.
Not only is it an expensive year, it’s also a milestone one. Leaders said this is the 25th anniversary of the K-9 unit at the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.
The Waukesha Deputy Charities Association organized Saturday's fundraiser.
The Source: FOX6 News conducted interviews and gathered information from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department and Waukesha Deputy Charities Association.