K-9 Ernie/Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office 

(KAIR)--As part of the Atchison County Sheriff's Office's ongoing focus on narcotics investigations, a new, four legged officer has been added to the force. “We have added a K-9 unit [which will be] on the street as well,” Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News.

K-9 Ernie is a male Dutch Shepherd/Belgium Malinois mix.

According to a press release issued by Laurie, Ernie is a dual-purpose K-9, trained in narcotics detection and patrol work.

The patrol duties will include tracking suspects, article and building searches, suspect apprehension, and officer protection.

K-9 Ernie's handler is Deputy David Worley, with both having completed training, and receiving certification, in Topeka.

Laurie says the Atchison County Sheriff's Office has not had a K-9 for over 10-years, and sees the addition of Ernie as “appropriate and much needed,” as his office will no longer have to request K-9 assistance from other agencies, as has been done many times in the past.

Laurie says no budgeted funds, or tax dollars, were used to purchase the K-9. Instead, the purchase was funded through revenues generated by the Sheriff's Office, as well as donations from two different agencies, Dogs on Duty and the Humane Society of America.