A second dog recently joined the ranks of the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office. Keno is a German Shepherd born in Slovakia and being trained in narcotics detection and patrol by Fresh Coast K-9 in Ludington, and he’s already visiting the county on weekends while he finishes classes, according to Sheriff Mike Borkovich.
In September, the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the sheriff’s office to purchase an additional pre-trained police dog for their K-9 program from Fresh Coast K-9, LLC, in the amount of $17,000, and authorized the sheriff’s office to outfit a patrol vehicle for K-9 use.
Borkovich says that Keno’s duties will include sniffing out illegal substances like fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. After completing his training in Ludington, Keno will join Borkovich and his handler, Deputy Jordan Strope, for visits to area schools. Visits will occur on a random schedule “so as not to tip off those who possess or sell illegal drugs in our schools,” Borkovich said.
