Milford “Red” Daniel and his wife June Thursday presented Oneida Police Chief Mike Cross with what Chief Cross termed “a very generous donation” in an effort to purchase a new drug dog for the Town of Oneida’s Police Department.
Daniel said he saw last week’s newspaper article and photo about the passing of long-time drug dog “Nanny,” and that story and photo tugged at his heart strings.
“I’m a dog lover and I also support local law enforcement,” Daniel told the Independent Herald. “The picture of the lab and his buddy . . . Well, it kind of got to me.”
His wife read the article and saw the photo and had much the same reaction. “He mentioned it and the same thing came to me,” she said.
Chief Cross said that while the Daniels’ donation would be enough to purchase the dog, “it costs thousands of dollars for training.”
He explained that both the dog and the police officer which will be his handler have to undergo training together “and are certified as a unit.”
He said Red and June Daniel’s donation would be placed in the Oneida Police Department’s Drug Fund and would be the start of a fund-raising effort to acquire a new drug dog and pay for the training for both dog and a K-9 officer.
“We’ve had some other people who have expressed an interest in donating money for a new drug dog,” Chief Cross said, “and I don’t think we’re going to have a problem.” On behalf of Oneida Mayor Jack E. Lay, the Board of Aldermen and the Oneida Police Department, he expressed his appreciation for the monetary gift provided by Red and June Daniel.
Persons wishing to donate to the drug dog fund can do so by sending their check or money order to Oneida Police Dept. Drug Fund, P.O. Box 4237, Oneida, TN 37841, or simply by the police department’s office in the Oneida Municipal Building during normal business hours.
newsroom@ihoneida.com
Enjoy the Independent Herald? Have it delivered to your door! Click here for details.
