Lincoln County K-9 Unit Getting Two New Members

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is rebuilding its K-9 unit, and one of its newest members is already a familiar face around Merrill.

Dasty, who spent five years working with the Merrill Police Department, is moving to the Sheriff’s Office along with his handler, Deputy Josh McCaskill. McCaskill previously served with the county’s Corrections Division before spending 15 years with the Merrill Police Department.

The county is also bringing in another new K-9 to replace Poncho and Nina, who recently retired from service.

Funding for both dogs comes through a $35,315 grant from the Bierman Family Foundation, which the Lincoln County Board recently approved. The grant also provides $5,000 to the City of Merrill through an agreement between the two agencies.

With the cost of acquiring and training a new K-9 and handler estimated at about $30,000, the funding allows the Sheriff’s Office to rebuild its unit without adding to the local tax levy.