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Three new law enforcement K-9 teams have graduated from training and are ready to begin working patrol shifts.
The teams were introduced to the community on Monday during a special event at Hermantown City Hall. They include:
. K-9 Bruno is partnered with Hermantown Police Officer Olivia Gottschald
. K-9 Kylo is partnered with Hermantown Police Office Lucas Hedin
. K-9 Ollie is partnered with St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Kuhnly
All K-9s graduated in November after completing 16 weeks of training. Each is certified as a dual-purpose K-9. This means they are trained to detect narcotics as well as perform a variety of patrol functions such as evidence searches, human tracking, apprehension and other skills.
The AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation provided $20,000 per dog to assist the agencies with purchase, training and special equipment costs.
Meanwhile, the two agencies also paid tribute to three long-serving law enforcement K-9s who all retired Monday. These include Hermantown Police K-9s Tuuko and Jack, along with St. Louis County Sheriff’s K-9 Donny. The three dogs have served a combined 24 years of service. (That’s 168 years in dog years.)
Hermantown Police K-9 Tuuko has been partnered with Sgt. Griffin Pfeiffer since 2015, and K-9 Jack has partnered with Sgt. Jon Pernu since 2016.
Meanwhile, St. Louis County Sheriff’s K-9 Donny has worked alongside Sgt. Ben Fye since 2020.
In retirement, these dogs will transition to family pet and will remain with their respective handler.
