FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — After 30 years of having a K-9 unit protecting and serving the city of Fresno, on Thursday morning, the Fresno Police Department celebrated their new K9 kennel.<\/p>\n
Chief Mindy Casto thanked every single donor who helped make it happen.<\/p>\n
“Without your support, we would not be standing here,” she said. “That support does more than build this kennel. It sends a strong message to our officers. The ones standing here and the ones working out in the field. The risk they take every day is appreciated.”<\/p>\n
The department has 12 K-9 officers, including three-year-old Belgian Malinois, Scout.<\/p>\n
“Our dogs learn that they have to be in a specific spot before they throw that ball, and that is just obedience,” says Officer Brandon Lyon.<\/p>\n
Lyon has been an officer for over 20 years and a K-9 handler for eight, working with Zeke by his side until the dog’s recent retirement.<\/p>\n
Lyon will now begin training a young K-9 that he just met two days ago.<\/p>\n
Being a K-9 handler is a job he always knew he wanted, emphasizing why their role is so pivotal in the community.<\/p>\n
“Being able to be out with patrol officers, be on call with them, make sure they are able to go into very dangerous situations safely using the dog, is very important to me,” he said.<\/p>\n
Officer Lyon says this kennel is a game changer because the department did not have anywhere safe and secure to leave the dogs when they took time off.<\/p>\n
“Now we don’t have to worry about that because all of us are comfortable, so when the dogs come here, it’s a lot easier,” he said.<\/p>\n
Inside of the kennel, there are five temperature-controlled rooms where the K-9 will have access to clean water and an outside area.<\/p>\n
Officer Lyon says there is also plenty of room to store food and what he’s most excited for — the washroom.<\/p>\n
“This is my favorite room, so I don’t have to walk around with a stinky dog,” he said. “This is a safe place now for us to bring our dog. This whole room can get wet.”<\/p>\n
Every K-9 handler says they’ve been waiting for this moment and look forward to using the facility.<\/p>\n
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