Tess is county deputy

The Edmunds County Sheriff has been asking for donations after the County Commission agreed to allow a Police Service Dog Program.

Tess, a two-year old Belgian Malinois, is now part of the Edmunds County Sheriff's Department. Tess stays with County Deputy Pete Eng. He has 20 years experience with K9 service.

Tess has training in Drug Detection and Tracking. She will begin State certification in September.

Sheriff Jonathan Waldner said Tess would be another tool for the Sheriff's Department. They are seeing more problems with fentenyl and opoids. Humans would not be able to detect that type of drug in a vehicle. But the canine is able to detect the drugs, giving the law officer probable cause to search.

"If one life is saved it's well worth it," Waldner said.

A vehicle was purchased to house the canine while on duty and take care of heat protection.

Donations are being taken to help fund the program. If any individual, family, business or organization would like to donate to the cause contact the Sheriff's office at 605-426-6002.