Help K-9 Program Take a Bite out of Crime

Pet Food Express will donate money it earns this weekend from its pet washes and collect donations from customers to benefit the Walnut Creek Police Department's K-9 program.

Money raised also may help the Police Department buy a third dog to join its force.  It costs $17,000 to $20,000 to purchase and train a dog and train its police officer partner.

Pet Food Express expects to raise $10,000 this weekend and will hold additional fundraisers to secure the remaining amount, said Mike Murray of Pet Food Express.

Police Chief Joel Bryden and Capt. Tim Schultz said the department has not made a final decision on whether to buy a third dog. The department has not brought the matter to the attention of the City Council.

"An additional canine is something that we are researching and would like to accomplish in the near future," Schultz said. "The ongoing fundraisers that we conduct are to support the continued success of our entire canine program."

The fundraiser will be Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pet Food Express, 1388 South California Blvd.

At a Pet Food Express fundraiser last summer , Walnut Creek police dog Kar and his partner, Joe Donleavy, demonstrated how dogs can find drugs and suspects.