Photo provided ODIN, a 2-year-old Malinois, is shown during his training as St. Clairville’s new police dog. He will begin work with partner T.J. Weyand at the end of summer.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — There will be a new four-legged officer on the police force soon.

Police Chief Matt Arbenz has reported the first down-payment has been made on Odin, a 2-year-old Malinois going though his training at Tri-State K9.

“We went up to Warren, Ohio, and put a down-payment on the dog and scheduled the training for the new K-9 handler beginning in August,” he said. “We picked him out.”

Officer T.J. Weyand will train as Odin’s partner.

“Training will go for four weeks, and as soon as he completes the training he will come home with the dog,” Arbenz said, adding Odin will prove valuable in the war on drugs..

“It’s a dual-purpose dog. It’ll be drug interdiction and apprehension. The dog’ll be trained to search for drugs, search for people,” Arbenz said.

He commented on the impressive training facility in Warren, with a variety of settings the dog might encounter.

The total cost for a K-9 officer is $15,000 to $20,000, including $13,000 for the dog and training, $3000 for training aids and care and maintenance items such as harnesses, collar and crate.

Arbenz thanked the public for their support.

“We’ve had a huge response (from the community)” money came in by donation “We’re going to meet our goal, no problem.”

He hopes to have a recognition ceremony for all who donated after the COVID-19 coronavirus has passed.

“It was a nice outpouring from the community,” Arbenz said.

The prior police dog, Beau, retired last July after eight years on the force.