(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the purchase of a second drug dog for the County when they met March 22.

The cost for the new dog will be approximately $9 thousand.

In addition to being used for drug searches, the new canine will be trained in tracking.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty said having a second K-9 will aid current handler Deputy Ractliffe and Valor if there is vacation and said it is difficult if Deputy Ractliffe works a night shift to then have to call him and Valor out three hours later to perform a search.

The main focus for using the new K-9 will be in Richardson County Schools following some incidents in the past year that started the conversation about obtaining a second dog.

Incoming Deputy Sheriff Jeremiah Franks will be the handler for the second dog. He has experience as a K-9 handler.

Sheriff Hardesty said there is a lot of work for a K-9 unit in Richardson County and he said it is a great tool in vehicle stops and searches but also when searching a house, the K-9 can quickly find where drugs are when it might take deputies several ours to uncover the hiding place.

Donations toward the addition of the second K-9 for the Richardson County Sheriff's Department are being accepted. If you are interested in donating, you may contact the Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2470.