SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A local nonprofit purchased a new police dog for the Shelby Township Police Department, marking the first time the organization has been able to fund an entire K-9 addition.
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Szajna-Carr For the Paws received a $20,000 grant from the Four County Community Foundation to purchase CJ, a 2-year-old Belgium Malinois, for the department.
"In our infancy of this non-profit, we never fathomed to purchase a dog," said Evette Szajna, co-founder of Szajna-Carr For the Paws.
The grant covered the $10,000 cost of purchasing CJ, $5,000 for training, and $1,300 for a bulletproof vest. The remaining funds were donated to police departments in Oakland, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.
Officer Justin Goebel, who will be CJ's handler, gave him a special name.
"I named him in honor of a friend of mine who I lost in the line of duty — Collin James Rose," Goebel said.
Sgt. Rose was a K-9 handler at Wayne State University who was shot and killed at age 26. Goebel wanted to keep his memory alive through his new partner.
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"For the Paws has been absolutely amazing. I can't say enough about Evette and Mark. They are legitimately some of the nicest people I have ever met in my entire life," Goebel said. "I don't know if CJ would have come to be without their donation."
CJ is replacing Goebel's former K-9 partner, Niko, who was forced to retire due to a leg injury. Goebel will be putting CJ through the K-9 Academy in October, where he'll be certified in narcotics and tracking.
The community will have a chance to meet CJ at the department's open house on Saturday.
"We've been looking forward to this, yes. It's been a work in progress."
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So far, the non-profit has raised $17,000 to buy supplies and equipment for police K-9 units around the state, helping 50 police dogs across 26 departments. Their work continues as they're currently raising approximately $15,000 to purchase a police dog for Dearborn Heights and are halfway to their goal.
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