N. Idaho girl raises money to buy police dogs
September 19, 2009 6:57:00 pm
- Associated Press
POST FALLS, Idaho — A fourth-grader in northern Idaho has created a program to raise money to buy police dogs.
Sidney Petersen began the program four months ago as part of the Post Falls School District's Starburst enrichment program for gifted children who show academic, leadership and creativity skills.
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Her fundraising program will be needed right away because of a back injury suffered in June by Ringo, a German Shepherd belonging to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department. Ringo, 6, recently had back surgery at Washington State University. He's living pain-free but is retiring after four years on the job.
Another department K-9, Karo, is 9 years old and is close to retiring. The agency typically operates with three dogs.
"It's amazing how much she (Sidney) wants to help out," Ringo's handler, Deputy Nate Nelson, told the Coeur d'Alene Press. "She's a cool little girl and, timing-wise, it couldn't be better."
The department rarely budgets for replacing dogs and instead relies on community support. The dogs cost about $10,000 and are usually imported from Europe.
Petersen grew up with retired deputy dogs because her father was a former handler with the sheriff's department.
"I love them," said Petersen, 9. "I've lived with them my whole life."
Part of the program included creating a silent auction for various items, including fly fishing rods and gift certificates from restaurants.
"She's worked very hard on this," said Sidney's father Lamont Petersen. "And it's definitely the perfect time for this."
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Information from Coeur d'Alene Press
