Cory Knutson lost his partner this spring. The two were paired eight years ago -- a Douglas County Sheriff's Department deputy and a young pup eager to learn. In April, Knutson's K-9 partner, Fero, retired from the department after years of service and countless calls. The canine left without a single bite on record.
"I definitely miss it," said Knutson, now a detective with the department. "It was a great part of my career."
The K-9 unit was an asset to the department and the community. Fero sniffed for drugs, assisted with traffic stops and tracked suspects. The deputy and his partner also were tapped for crowd control. The presence of the 85-pound German shepherd, Knutson said, calmed a crowd faster than five or six deputies could. And the pair gave demonstrations for organizations and schools throughout the area.
"When he got around little kids, he was laid-back, happy," Knutson said of the dog.
Building searches were quicker with Fero. Instead of tying up five officers to go room-to-room through a building where an alarm went off, Knutson sent his partner in -- 20 minutes later, he would know if there was anyone in there.
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Fero excelled at following scents.
"He was such a good tracking dog, such a phenomenal tracker," Knutson said. The canine was called on to find suspects in all types of terrain, from city streets to heavy woods. One particularly grueling track took place on Halloween of 2005. A surveyor had gone missing along the Summit Trail in Dairyland. Although her track was hours old and sleet was falling, Fero was able to track her through the woods to a swamp. She was found wet and cold, but in good condition.
"He was a great help, great resource, great tool," said Sheriff Tom Dalbec. "I, we, the department certainly would like to continue the K-9 program."
"I'd like to have two more of them, one on every shift," said Deputy Jim Madden, who was with Knutson and Fero during the Summit Trail track.
Community members teamed up to raise $25,000 to purchase Fero and a canine for the Superior Police Department, Dargo, in 2003. A total of 104 individuals and businesses donated funds. AMSOIL Inc. founder Al Amatuzio and Superior Beverages both made significant contributions toward the dogs, Knutson said. Dan's Feed Bin has supplied food for both dogs since they joined the department. Tri State Business Supply bought body armor for the canines. Superior Animal Hospital & Boarding Suites provides free routine veterinarian services for the dogs.
"We think it's a great thing for the community," said veterinarian Bob McClellan of the presence of the K-9 units. He said the animal hospital would provide the same free services to any new dog, as well.
"There's a lot of interest within the department to keep the program going," Dalbec said, but the department budget is tight. Whether the K-9 program will continue rests, once again, in the hands of the community
Last month, the Douglas County Board approved a new K-9 Unit Trust Fund. The fund was set up to collect donations toward the purchase of a new dog. Donations to the fund are tax deductible, according to County Finance Director Ann Doucette, and can be mailed to the Douglas County Treasurer, 1313 Belknap St., Superior, WI 54880. Donors should write "K-9 Unit Trust Fund" on the memo line, Doucette said.
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Dalbec estimated it would cost about $15,000 to purchase a dog and provide both training and equipment for a K-9 unit.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed," he said. "Hopefully, somebody comes up to the plate."
