A donation from three local Bomgaars stores is helping improve life for one of the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office’s most valuable crime-fighting partners.
The Bomgaars locations in Hawarden, Orange City, and Sioux Center recently donated a 5-by-10-foot outdoor dog kennel, along with dog toys, for K-9 Rocky, the Sheriff’s Office’s four-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer trained in the detection of illegal narcotics.
Chief Deputy Justin De Bruin says the donation will provide Rocky with his first dedicated outdoor kennel.
“Rocky’s never had an outdoor kennel before. Before, he was just kind of living inside. He was crate trained, so he’s basically been living out of a crate if he’s not at work or being taken out to do everyday stuff. Bomgaars was generous enough to donate a five-by-ten kennel so we can start the process of pouring a cement slab and building a doghouse. That way he’s outside, and he’s not cooped up all the time.”
While the kennel itself was donated, the Sheriff’s Office is continuing work on the project by installing a concrete pad and building an insulated doghouse. They plan to pour the concrete themselves, but De Bruin says the concrete work alone is expected to cost about $1,500. The doghouse has not yet been built, and material costs are still being determined. He says maintaining a police K-9 requires an ongoing investment.
“It’s not cheap, but having a good dog on the department that can help fight crime for you is a good asset to have, so you’ve got to invest in that asset.”
Rocky is primarily used for narcotics detection throughout Sioux County. De Bruin says deployments can vary considerably depending on investigations, with some weeks seeing no calls while others may require the K-9 multiple times in a single day.
De Bruin says maintaining a police K-9 is a year-round commitment that extends well beyond responding to calls. He says handlers spend countless hours training and caring for their dogs to ensure they’re ready whenever they’re needed.
“It’s something constant. You’re always doing something with it. Family support is a huge must,” De Bruin continued. “If you don’t have that family support with having a K-9, a police K-9, the dog or your relationship is going to suffer…it’s a constant ordeal with these animals because they’re such a huge asset.”
De Bruin says donations from local businesses help offset some of those ongoing costs and reflect the strong relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the communities it serves.
“I would say Sioux County is a step above everybody else in—our community support and business support. We’re a tight-knit community here, and that’s one thing we do is stick together really well.”
The Sheriff’s Office says anyone interested in supporting the K-9 program or making a donation can contact the Sheriff’s Office directly to learn more.
