The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office introduced its new K-9 unit on Thursday.

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum announced that the K-9 unit will be operated by Dillon Kinard and Barry Hood. Each will have a $5,000 drug dog, which was purchased by Valley Grande City Council and Dallas County residents Johnn and Kathy Duncan. Granthum said the dogs can sniff out marijuana, amphetamines, heroine and crack.

“We wouldn’t have been able to purchase these two dogs without the city of Valley Grande and the Duncan family,” Granthum said. “This county has a big dope problem and this is another tool in our toolbox. We’ve been wanting to get a K-9 unit for years.”

Valley Grande Mayor Matt Dobbs said public safety is the city’s top priority and thrilled with purchasing a drug dog.

“Public safety is our number one issue and that’s what I ran my campaign on,” Dobbs said. “Everyone in our community wants to feel safe. The city of Valley Grande wants to support Sheriff Granthum and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.”

Hood and Kinard said they’re both looking forward to being part of the K-9 unit.

“I feel about working part of the K-9 unit,” Kinard said. “Narcotics has been a passion of mine since I got into law enforcement. It’s another tool that can help us get drugs off the streets in Dallas County.”

“We’re excited about it and we both wanted to work with K-9 dogs,” Hood said.

Granthum said the two dogs and their handlers are close to becoming certified. He said it costs $15,000 for each dog’s training.