Ashland Police Department prepares for new K-9, raising funds to support

At the end of 2025, Ashland Police Department K-9 Chase retired after serving the community for nearly nine years. Chase was the department’s only K-9, so they began the process of finding the next handler and preparing for another K-9 to join the team.

Officer John Williams had always wanted to be a K-9 handler. Part of the reason is because his older brother, another member of law enforcement, also spent time as a handler. So, when the opportunity came, he applied for the position.

The position requires long hours long before the dog comes into a handler’s care. From ensuring all protocols are up to date, to preparing equipment to accommodate a new partner, there’s a lot to get done.

“So, the initial expenses are obviously your K-9, your training, your squad car, outfitting the whole squad car. You’ve got the special cage you have to put in this. Instead of just the regular cage that normal squads get, you get the one with the dog’s kennel in it,” said Officer Williams. “All of the basic needs for the dog, the dog’s equipment. He’s got vests. There are multiple different lengths of leashes. And the leashes k...