Wake Sheriff Fulfills Campaign Promise, Expands K-9 Unit

Harrison, a former K-9 handler himself, announced Thursday that he is expanding the K-9 unit. The dogs will be used for finding missing people and drugs.

Dillon, a bloodhound, was donated to the unit by Jason Emory of Garner.

"If he helps to find someone's missing child [or] a lost person, it will make me proud," Emory said.

Harrison also announced that Nestle-Purina Petcare is donating $25,000 to the unit.

"We'll probably have to use some taxpayer money down the road. There's no question about it, but as much as I can get donated to the department, that's what I want to do. I think we can," he said. "I'm going to be speaking to a lot of groups and there's always people out there wanting to do something for law enforcement. To me, this is a good way to do it."

Harrison said he hopes the money will help the office purchase and train three new dogs.

Raleigh police started its K-9 program in the 1980s. Today, nine K-9 units patrol the streets. Until now, Wake County has only had one.

Officials said it costs approximately $7,000 to buy and train a dog for work in law enforcement.