CARY EXPANDS K9 PROGRAM

Seth and Axel join Jeremy and Max in helping keep Cary safe 

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary’s “Dynamic Duo” will become the “Fantastic Four” this weekend as Officer Seth Everett and his four-legged partner Axle hit the streets for the first time as the Town’s new K9 team. By doubling the size of its K9 officer program, Cary will be able to provide canine assistance seven days a week and expand coverage of its program. K9 teams assist in locating missing persons, recovering evidence, searching for narcotics, and apprehending criminals.

“Canine officers are tried and true law enforcement tools that add safety, speed and a keen sense of smell to the job at low costs and with low risk to the public,” said Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore. “Seth and Axle are a proven team and we are proud to have them join Jeremy and Max as our newest K9 unit.”

Officer Seth Everett joined the Cary Police Department in October 2007, bringing 10 years of experience and national certification as a police canine handler. His dog, Axle, is a six-year-old German Shepard that was donated to Seth by a Cary citizen. Seth and Axle worked as a K9 unit for the Carrboro Police Department for four years prior to coming to Cary.

The pair joins Master Officer Jeremy Burgin and Max, Cary’s original “Dynamic Duo,” who kicked off the Town’s K9 service in 2005.

Cary’s canine program is designed to enhance the high level of service provided by the Town’s nationally accredited police department. Cary is consistently ranked as the safest large city in North Carolina , the safest large community in the Southeast, and the third safest of its size in America .

Cary will pay $1 per year to lease Axle and will spend about $15,000 to equip the additional K9 unit. Food and medical expenses for Axle are being donated by Veterinary Specialty Hospital and Mayfair Animal Hospital in Cary, who also provide free medical care for Max. Donations from community partners have helped the Town defer costs and make Cary’s K9 program a greater success.

“The community has shown tremendous support for the Town’s K9 program since it launched three years ago and we are pleased to expand this highly-praised and embraced service,” Bazemore said.

 Learn more about the Town’s K9 Program at www.townofcary.org.

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 MEDIA NOTE: Chief Pat Bazemore and Officer Seth Everett will be available for interviews on Wednesday, February 6 from 1-3 p.m.