The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office has announced it’s intentions to add a K9 unit to it’s force. The cost of starting a program is estimated to be around $25,000 but the positives out-weigh the costs according to Sheriff Casey Hinnah. Hinnah tells KCII News, a K9 unit will help the department with everything from narcotics detection, to fugitive searches, to assist in searching for missing children and elderly.

The plan for the department is to fund the start up costs by collecting donations from citizens of Keokuk County. Those looking to donate are asked to send donations to the sheriff’s office in Sigourney. Hinnah says he hopes to have the unit on patrol starting early this summer.