The Centralia Police Department welcomes Lobo, a German Shepherd, acquired from Von Grunheide Shepherds in Snohomish, WA. The 1-year-old dog is very social with a good foundation in man work and an excellent candidate for a dual purpose police dog. Lobo replaces Police Service Dog (PSD) Bak who was retired a couple of years ago, and joins PSD Kayo (partner Sergeant Brian Warren) who is midway through his law enforcement career.

Officer Ruben Ramirez has been selected as Lobo's handler. Ramirez, a nine-year veteran of the department, will spend the next 60 days continuing the orientation and familiarization phase with the dog, prior to the team beginning its training in September. At the end of the training Lobo will be tested by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, with anticipation of receiving a dual certification as a general detection and drug detection PSD.  Officer Ramirez and Lobo will then join a patrol team as the second K-9 unit in the department.

The Centralia Police Department has a rich and long tradition of excellent K-9 units, dating back to 1980. Apart from the salary of the officer and the police vehicle, the entire program is supported by donations from the public, including food, medical care and costs for the acquisition and training of the dog.

Lobo was purchased for $9,000 (with a money-back guarantee that he will pass the state certifications), leaving our K-9 program in need of donations. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductable donation to the Centralia Police K-9 Fund should contact the Centralia Police Department at 330-7680.