COLUMBIA (WACH) - The Richland County Sheriff's Department K9 Unit is teaming up with The Animal Mission, Natural Balance and The Gillespie Agency to help take a bite out of crime.
Sheriff Leon Lott met with The Animal Mission board president, Mark Gumola, Natural Balance Assistant Operations Manager East Coast Distribution Center and Elaine Gillespie of The Gillepsie Agency for a press conference at Richland Mall Wednesday.
The conference, which was held inside the mall at the Sheriff's Departments Richland 1 Crossfit Facility, unveiled a new partnership and support for the K9 unit that aims to make Midlands communities safer.
Dogs in the unit will be eating Natural Balance Synergy Dog Formula, which the Natural Balance website says is for "your extraordinary dog." It is sold as a complete and balanced formula for all breeds from puppies to adults. Natural Balance offers the healthiest dog food according to Sheriff Lott.
In addition, The Animal Mission gave a check for $10,000. The money will go toward paying for the food for the next two years.
Lott said it is not cheap, but that it will pay off for the dogs who often work in high stress situations.
"When they are working, they are very high energy. And they need food that can make sure they have that high energy. They have to have nutritious food that builds their body so they can go out and do the best job that they can."
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