Gainesville police hope to start K-9 program

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville Police Department is accepting bids to purchase up to four police dogs.

Chief Frank Hooper says that with the increase of drug activity in the area, the city would benefit from having at least one drug-sniffing dog on each shift.

"The program is really just in its infancy," Hooper says. "We are looking at just exactly what it is going to cost us and make sure that we do have enough money to pay for the program."

Hooper adds, "We have had some citizens and businesses that have contributed to the start- up of the program."

Hooper says the cost per trained dog plus the cost of training a handler could run around $6,000 per dog.

Hooper hopes to have the program fully operational by spring.