K-9 Teams Across the Northland Train for Operation K-9

SUPERIOR, WIS. – K-9 teams from across the Northland are practicing for the 11th annual Operation K-9 event.

The Northland K-9 Foundation hosts free demonstrations, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation, which supports the purchase of new K-9s and equipment for the K-9 units in our area. Thursday’s Operation K-9 will showcase the skills of K-9 law enforcement teams from eight area agencies. The activities include meeting the dogs, touring police vehicles, grabbing some food, and getting in on a silent auction.

“If you ask me, every day is training, we’re with these dogs more than we are with our family. Sometimes they’re with us at home,” said SGT. Ryan Smith, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. “They’re with us at work, year-round, and it’s just non-stop training, and it’s nice to show the public what we can do with them.”

Law enforcement officers say this is a great opportunity to get to know some of the area’s K-9 teams positively by building stronger community connections.

“The community, you know, they donate,” said Shane McKee, Duluth patrol K-9 handler. “They do so much for us. And, you know, providing the funding for the dogs and the food for the dogs and everything kind of that the dogs use. So it’s kind of cool to get back and just kind of show them what the dogs are capable of doing and, and that’s kind of our way of saying, Thank you.”

Operation K-9 is this Thursday at the Wessman Arena in Superior from 4:30 to 8 p.m.