WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — One local K9 is up for a big prize in a national competition.
Kali, of the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department, is hoping to rank in the Hometown Foundation's Annual Hometown Heroes Grant giveaway, to help fund the department’s K9 unit.
Meet Kali, the one-year-old Dutch Shepherd, has been a part of the Wilkes-Barre Township K9 unit for almost three months.
"She's certified in patrol. So it's tracking, apprehension, article searches, and also searches if someone were to be lost," stated K9 officer Bryan Mock of the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department.
In March, Kali will go for her narcotics certification. Her owner, K9 officer Bryan Mock says that although she's new to the job, she's already proven herself to be a good partner.
"We had a gentleman steal from one of our smoke shops, he took off on a foot pursuit. I didn't release her, but I notified him I have a dog please stop otherwise the dog's gonna be released, and he gave up right away," explained Mock.
Now, Kali is part of a nationwide competition, where an eligible number of votes could win the department a grant for their K9 unit.
DEP investigates sediment in Roaring Brook Creek
Kali could be awarded up to five thousand dollars for the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department's K9 unit.
The department's K9 unit runs strictly on donations.
"Everything we raise goes back to her so food training supplies anything she needs," said Mock.
Her owner says Kali is a crucial part of keeping the community safe.
"We neighbor a huge city of Wilkes-Barre City and a couple surrounding...Hanover is a very busy department as well. Plus we have about over 100,000 people who go through our township throughout the day with all our shopping centers and whatnot," stated Mock.
Officer Mock hopes the community can come together to support Kali.
"We have a big community here, Wilkes-barre City as well, and a good Luzerne County so hopefully people can contribute," expressed Mock.
Voting runs through the end of the month. To vote for K9 Kali head over the Hometown Foundation's website.
