BARNESVILLE — Barnesville Police Department’s K-9 Unit — canine Croc and handler Officer Edward Kubat — recently received a free Trauma and Narcan Overdose Kit.

The department applied for and received the kit from the K9s of Valor Foundation of Massillon, Ohio.

“We didn’t have anything specifically for the dog. We wanted to have something in case it would happen,” Kubat said of the unit’s response to a potential overdose call.

The Narcan can be used on a person overdosing on a drug. The trauma kit is in case the dog gets injured during an incident.

Kubat has been a police officer with the department for four years. This is his first time working with a police dog. He and Croc got certified in June.

“He’s a little over 2 and a half years old. He’s a full-blown German shepherd,” Kubat said. “It’s been a different experience for sure. It’s been fun. It’s nice having him around.”

Kubat said Croc is trained to conduct a few different tasks including sniffing for drugs, tracking people and light apprehension of suspects.

“I’ve used him a couple times to track people, and I’ve used him for drug sniffs,” Kubat said.

The department’s K-9 program operates via donations and fundraisers. People who would like to make a donation can send it to: Barnesville Police Department, 132 N. Arch St., Barnesville, OH 43713. Write “K-9 Fund” on the memo line.

One of the department’s annual fundraisers is upcoming. The Second Annual Barnesville K-9 Golf Scramble is slated to be held July 31. The scramble will be held at the Fairway River Links Golf Course in Rayland.

The department also is in need of sponsors and teams for the scramble. For more information, call Malorie Kubat at 740-238-1153 or email maloriekubat@gmail.com. Prizes and awards will be given.

“What we did last year is donate a portion to a charity, and we used the rest for his funding,” Kubat said of the canine. “We’re hoping for another good turnout this year.”

Kubat said last year’s charity recipient was A Special Wish Foundation. The department is looking into a different charity to possibly donate to this year.