Lomira Police Department fundraising for K-9 officer

LOMIRA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Lomira Police say in the last ten years their calls for service have increased 100%.

Officer Mike Rowe said being located right off of I-41 brings a lot of illegal drugs and weapons through the small town of fewer than 3,000. 

“Crime has been increasing in our community within the last few years alone,” Officer Rowe said. “We need to find a solution to this problem.”

The Lomira Police Department believes part of the solution is a K9 Officer.

“It’s going to be able to not only locate narcotics within the community but typically if people flee from law enforcement the dog will be used to track them, also if people go missing within the community,” Officer Rowe said.

He said with no room in the police budget for a K9 program, like many other small town departments, the dog will be completely funded by the community.

“Our goal we set out for is for $85,000,” Officer Rowe said. “I know it seems high but we’re talking about starting from square one again.”

The Lomira Police Department used to have a K9 program ten years ago, but it dissolved.

“It was just difficult for us to raise funds at that time within the small community that we have,” Officer Rowe said.

Because of the increase in crime, police decided to give the program another try and are getting creative with their fundraising efforts. Right now they are selling plush K9 stuffed animals for $20 a dog at their department.

All donations will go towards the cost of the K9, its training, and a squad car fit for the K9 Officer. The K9 will be used throughout Dodge County.

“I think it’s great, it’s a good idea,” Lomira Resident Mary Kiehnau said. “We need it for protection and drug use all over the place.”

The Lomira Police Department has started a fundraising page. Donations can also be made out to “Lomira Police Department K9 Fund”

425 Water St

Lomira, WI 53048

The Department is also looking for food donations for the K9.

All donations are tax deductible.