After losing its K9 and handler last month, Cloverdale town officials are weighing what is next for the Cloverdale Police Department when it comes to replacing the K9.

K9 officer Sam Fogle was hired away last month to a job in Montana and Town Marshall Adam Hull told town officials the dog belonged to Fogle. 

Cloverdale Town Council President Brandon Tancak said while the town has already hired a replacement officer, the status of adding a K9 is unknown. 

"Time will tell on the matter of replacing the outgoing K9. Owning a K9 is one thing and having an officer in place to handle and care for that K9 is another. It can get very expensive. From the cost of the K9, food, veterinary bills, insurance, continuous training, additional pay for an officer with the "K9" title, etc. These costs are paid for largely by taxpayers and donations," Tancak told The Putnam County Post. 

He said Cloverdale will be one step ahead if they do opt to own another K9, as the town has a vehicle equipped to handle both the officer and the dog. 

While the town weighs its next option, Tancak said if one is needed, Cloverdale will be covered by surrounding law enforcement agencies. 

"In the meantime, if our police department gets into a situation and they need the assistance of a K9, there are three agencies in Putnam County within 10 minutes of Cloverdale town limits that have K9's and, hopefully, one of them would be able to assist. I know we have assisted them in the past when they were going through their hiring/selection process of a K9/officer," Tancak said.