Common Council Approves Grant Application For Towards Canine Replacement

The City of Cortland Common Council has approved applying for a grant towards a canine replacement for the City of Cortland Police Department. The approval follows the early retirement of Canine Max, who was retired following a terminal health diagnosis.

The city will apply for up to $5,000 from the National Police Dog Foundation Assistance Grant Program. If awarded, the grant will provide financial support in adding a second canine to the police department. The department’s canine program is not funded by the city budget and relies primarily on donations and grants. Only the canine handler salaries are funded within the city budget.

If the city is awarded the funding, it may require agency or community matching funds, according to the resolution. It would also require ongoing financial commitment for maintenance, training, veterinary services and handler support.

Currently, Cortland County only has three canines who are trained for drug detection and apprehension; the Sheriff’s Office has two with Cortland Police currently having one. The addition back to a fourth canine will allow one to be on each shift during the day for the county.

Tuesday’s meeting also officially accepted several donations for the Cortland Police Department. $5,000 was donated to the police department’s canine donations trust from Tritown Lodge #742 – Groton Location ($1,500) and the Cortland Breakfast Rotary Club ($3,500/Canine Donations Trust & $500 for McGruff Program Trust).

Cortland Police Chief David Guerrera says donations have been coming in amounting to around $10,000. The cost of a new canine and training is between $20,000 and $30,000.