MONTAGUE — The town has rallied together and raised enough money to buy Artie a new K9-equipped cruiser.
As of late August, the town had raised about $30,000. Just over a week later, Artie’s handler Officer Jim Ruddock said the department has met its goal of $40,000.
“Members of the community came out to support the K9 unit — which is funded through donations — to donate, volunteer and support us and the department,” Ruddock said Wednesday evening. “Artie and I have worked tiresome hours for over a year fundraising, and got nothing but support from our department.”
Ruddock had made the announcement on the town police department’s Facebook page around noon. In the post, Ruddock thanks “Artie’s guardian angel,” an anonymous donor “who matched donations up to $7,500.”
“To Artie’s guardian angel,” he wrote, “you gave our fundraising efforts a new life and made it possible for us to reach our goal. Maybe someday I will find out who you are but as for now we will take great comfort in knowing you are looking out for our safety.”
Ruddock said the fundraising process gained traction recently thanks to the anonymous donations and media coverage.
“We have done countless canine demonstrations and fundraising events and have met many amazing people along the way who were very excited to help out,” Ruddock wrote. “Thank you for your support.”
Ruddock said he wants to make sure people know the department is still accepting donations, which might be needed to cover unforseen equipment costs.
Any funds that aren’t needed for the new cruiser will go into Artie’s K9 fund, which is used for the K9 officer’s food, healthcare, training equipment and emergency situations.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or: 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo