City breaks ground on new home for Winnipeg Police Service K-9 Unit

Facility to house unit's 23 canines and nationally recognized breeding program

WINNIPEG - Today, Mayor Sam Katz and Chief Keith McCaskill broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art home for the Winnipeg Police Service K-9 Unit.

The new 4,500 square foot, high-security kennel facility will be located at 77 Durand Road, adjacent to the grounds of the East District Police Station.

In addition to 11 air-conditioned indoor kennels and attached dog runs, the building will feature a large community classroom and common area for public demonstrations and office space for the officers in the unit.

The new facility also features a whelping kennel and indoor puppy run as part of the Winnipeg Police Service's nationally recognized in-house breeding program - one of the only programs of its kind in Canada, which began in 1999.

�The K-9 Unit is a crucial tool in crime-fighting, with dogs and handlers providing service to the City of Winnipeg 24 hours a day, seven days a week,� said Mayor Sam Katz. �I'm sure all the citizens of Winnipeg will be glad to see these dogs moving into a permanent home.�

"The Canine Unit is a valuable part of the Winnipeg Police Service, said Chief Keith McCaskill. �Officers and their canine partners demonstrate their commitment to the citizens of Winnipeg by searching and apprehending fleeing suspects and in other ways where police members require assistance. Their dedication is something we are all very proud of. I am pleased to be a part of providing them a new home."

The Winnipeg Police Service K-9 Unit provides essential support to operational units in the search for fleeing suspects and is called upon to search buildings, locate evidence and find missing persons.

The unit is part of the Winnipeg Police Service Operational Support Division and has grown to twelve K-9 teams - 12 uniform officers and 23 canines - offering 24-hour coverage, seven days a week to protect the safety of citizens in Winnipeg.

With a Narcotic Detector Dog, three Explosive Detector Dogs and several cross-trained narcotic and tactical dogs, each K-9 team is extensively trained for a particular objective prior to deployment.