Duluth City Council Approves Resolution for DTA K-9 Officer

The K-9 Will be Trained This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – A resolution was passed Monday night by the Duluth City Council to fund a K-9 that will monitor the Duluth Transit Authority over the next five years.

The resolution will provide $13,000 for the K-9, which will be paid for through local donations. The K-9 will work with a Duluth Police Officer that works with the DTA.

The city says the K-9 officer will work with the DTA to improve transit rider’s safety, reduce crime and disorder, and improve quality of life to all areas serviced by the DTA bus stops, hubs, on buses and other modes of transportation.

One of the key characteristics of the K-9 will be its ability to sniff out explosives for the DTA. Officials say that hasn’t been a problem in the past, but they want the new K-9 to serve as a safety measure.

“There have been situations where we requested a K-9, but they are unavailable attending to other calls, so it’s just nice to have that explosive detective K-9,” said Ingrid Hornibrook, the Duluth Police public information officer.

The Duluth Police Department says the K-9 officer will be trained this fall and will be ready by January.

Another K-9 is also expected to be brought on the force this winter, bringing the total to five.