LEAD Upstate also raises funds for some of the finest officers on the force — the highly trained animals from the K-9 units.
According to LEAD organizers, the average cost for a dog is approximately $10,000. Supplies and training add a few thousand to that figure, and food and medical care run about $1,500 a year per animal. Most of those costs are not covered by the budgets of the law enforcement agencies.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has one of the largest K-9 programs in South Carolina and is considered a leader for the advancement of K-9 law enforcement in the United States. Most Upstate agencies have K-9 units, or are looking to start them.
“It’s a game changer,” says Lt. Matt Lovelace of the GCSO K-9 Services Unit. “People think of them finding drugs or criminals. They certainly do that, and they also find lost children and people suffering from dementia. We’re extremely appreciative of community support for these exceptional officers. The K-9s contribute significantly to public safety.”
LEAD takes place Sept. 15, but fundraising happens year-round. Part of the proceeds goes to the dedicated dogs faithfully serving alongside their human partners. K-9s are so vital to local agencies, they have their own designated sponsors: United Community Bank and ProSource. For more information or to make a donation, visit LEADUpstate.com.
