Dunwoody establishes K-9 program, asks for help naming 2 police dogs

The Dunwoody Police Department is asking the community for help with naming its two new police dogs.

Credit: Dunwoody Police Department

Credit: Dunwoody Police Department

The Dunwoody Police Department is asking the community for help with naming its two new police dogs.

Two dogs are joining Dunwoody’s police force, and the department is asking for the community to help give them fitting names.

Do you think the pair look like an Atlas and Axel or maybe a Bolt and Diesel? Those are among the 10 names that the department included on a poll for community consideration, according to a news release. Over the past week, city staff and member of the Dunwoody Police Foundation have discussed name suggestions for the dogs, which are a Belgian Malinois and a Dutch Shepherd.

The newly establish K-9 program was funded by the police foundation, which was founded last year. It uses tax-deductible donations to provide monetary aid for injured officers, help purchase specialized equipment and assist with community outreach programs, the release said.

The department specifically credited the Rotary Club of Dunwoody as a donor that helped make the K-9 program possible. Sgt. Robert Parsons said the cost of the program is estimated to be between $40,000 and $45,000, adding that the police foundation has already paid for the the K-9s and their ongoing training. The department will cover equipment and other costs.

The K-9s still need to complete a monthslong training program in areas such as drug searches, article searches, tracking and obedience, the release said. They’re expected to become certified and join the force by early next year.

To vote on the dogs' names, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/DunwoodyK9. The poll will accept voted through Oct. 23.

Follow DeKalb County News on Facebook and Twitter