Local family donates K-9 to Pocatello Police Department

POCATELLO — A new K-9 has been added the ranks of the Pocatello Police Department, joining five other dogs already in the department.

Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei said the dog is a 1-year-old German Shepard named Kaida. The police department had been looking for a new dog for a little over a year.

"We had one of our other K-9s, Barrett, pass away from medical complications," he said. "We wanted to replace the dog in the near future."

While the police department was looking for a new dog, it met a couple named Keith and Anna Perkins who were willing to donate Kaida to the police department.

"They thought she would be a good fit," Schei said.

The department met Kaida and decided she would be a good fit for them. The department was able to take her to the City Council for approval on Thursday.

"She will be a single-purpose narcotics detection dog," Schei said.

Kaida's handler will be Officer Marisa Saldana. Keith and Anna Perkins were able to meet Officer Saldana and see the vehicle that Kaida will be riding in.

"We are grateful for this couple and that they were willing to donate the dog," Schei said.

The night Kaida was approved by the City Council was an emotional moment. Schei said Officer Saldana and Keith and Anna Perkins were crying throughout the evening.

"I told them that they were welcome to come back and look at her progress," he said.

Kaida becomes the sixth K9 total to join the Pocatello Police Department. Four of the other dogs are dual-purpose dogs trained in apprehension and narcotics while Kaida is a single-purpose dog trained in just narcotics.

"She will be trained to detect narcotics that are hidden or otherwise concealed when we are on a search," Schei said. "Whether we're in a home or on a traffic stop."

The police department has all the equipment they need to train Kaida. Schei said there were no additional costs to train her.

"We won't have to send the dog anywhere for training," he said. "We have all the equipment."

Schei expressed gratitude for Keith and Anna Perkins for donating Kaida to the department. He said she is the third dog that was donated by members of the community, which is a testament to the department's commitment to connecting with the community.

"I know how hard it is to part with loved ones who are animals," he said.