The City of Baytown recently accepted $10,000 for the purchase of a new K-9 officer. The Baytown Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club provided the funds for the Baytown Police Department to make the purchase.
The Baytown Kennel Club also donated seven Infrared Strobe Beacons that will help the K-9s during searches. Hamilton, seen in the pictures, and his handler Officer Johnathan Grant, use the IR lights already. These lights attach to the dog’s vest and can be seen from the air when aircrafts are assisting in important searches. The lights are also needed for the dog and the handler’s safety. The addition of more lights will make efforts more efficient when arresting dangerous offenders or finding people who are missing or lost.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo was appreciative of the donations. He said, “I think it’s great we received donations from the Baytown Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. We appreciate it. Any time we can utilize technology to enhance our police activities, it’s certainly wonderful.”
Police Chief John Stringer joined Baytown Kennel Club President Tim Robbins and Officer Grant to get a picture with K-9 star Hamilton, who is not camera shy. Hamilton has been with the department for five years.