Local Kwik Trips Donate $5,000 to K-9 Foundation in Honor of K-9 Luna

DULUTH, Minn.– After a gunman shot and killed Duluth Police K-9 Luna in February community support continues with a big check today to help in the cost to buy and train Luna’s replacement.

“When we have tough times, we require and need our community to lift us up. And it certainly is very welcomed to have this support from Kwik Trip,” said Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken.

It was just over a month ago that K-9 Luna was killed in the line of duty. Now today they got some help in their mission to help bring in Luna’s successor.

“This funding helps us maintain a program we can be proud of,” said Tusken.

The Duluth area Kwik Trip made a $5,000 donation on Thursday to the AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation, which helps with training costs for new K-9s as the Duluth Police Department tries to fill the role after the shooting death of K-9 Luna during a standoff with an armed man.

“When we need help, we know that we have a community that supports us here,” said Tusken.

It’s not the first time Kwik Trip has helped out the DPD. Back when the standoff took place in February, the store on Michigan Street in Lincoln Park donated water to officers on the scene. And with Thursday’s donation, they want to show their support to those who work to keep their community safe.

“Our goal with this donation is to support the k-9s that work to keep our northland community safe,” said Randy Seguin, Store Leader Of Kwik Trip’s Michigan Street Store. “Thank you Duluth Police Department and your k-9s for keeping our community safe, thank you for making a difference.”

Chief Tusken said the loss of K-9 Luna was tough for those at the DPD, especially her handler Officer Haller.

“Lots of time and energy goes into training those dogs that become like pets to us and it was a significant loss and yet at the same time again, we saw our community rise up,” said Tusken.

The investment for a new K-9 is a big one. When combined with the work it takes to train a police dog, it can range from $15-20,000. Tusken says donation like the one from Kwik Trip go a long way towards bringing in the next K-9.

“It requires that we not only make the heavy purchase of the dog but also all of the training that goes with it,” said Tusken. “The weeks of training down in St. Paul and so this money does help us.”

According to Chief Tusken, there is a plan in place to bring in a replacement K-9 to succeed Luna. The DPD’s plan is to acquire a new K-9 by the end of the year and then take it down to St. Paul for training with the K-9 unit in 2022.