Press release:
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Pharoah, will be retiring at the end of the year and Sheriff Gary T. Maha has announced a fundraising campaign to replace the dog.
Pharoah is 11 years old and has been working with Deputy Brian Thompson since November 2010. Deputy Thompson will be relinquishing his K-9 duties at the end of the year as well. Deputy Thompson has been the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 officer for the past 13 years.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has been able to maintain a K-9 team for the past 13 years with support and donations from the public along with county funding. Public support and donations are vital to the continuation of this worthwhile program and are used to pay for food, veterinary services, training, equipment, and other K-9 related expenses.
The K-9 team is used for search and suspect apprehension, locating missing persons including missing children and Alzheimer patients, contraband and drug searches, tactical tracking, evidence recovery, building searches, patrol, and public presentations.
The Sheriff’s Office will be selecting a new K-9 officer and will be searching for a new K-9. The cost for a police dog ranges from between $5,000 - $8,000 and a 15-week K-9 training course costs approximately $5,000.
The Sheriff’s Office is initiating a public fundraiser for a sustainable K-9 fund for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Maha says: We need your support to continue with our K-9 program and are asking businesses, community organizations and individuals to make a tax-deductible donation to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Fund, 165 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020.
Inquiries may be made to Confidential Secretary Carolyn Della Penna at (585) 345-3000, Ext. 3510.
