Coryell County K9 Unit Faces Rising Costs, Requests Community Support

On December 15, 2025, handlers with the Coryell County K9 Unit described mounting financial pressure that has left the two department dogs and their handlers stretching limited resources across thousands of square miles. The unit recently saw its budget rise from $4,000 to $6,000, but officers say that increase falls short of the real annual costs needed to sustain operations and training.

"Our county alone is 1,065 square miles," James Ashley, a patrol sergeant and K9 handler with the Coryell County Sheriff's Office, said. That geographic reality translates into frequent deployments across Coryell and neighboring counties, with the dogs called on to detect drugs, assist in arrests, and provide security at more than 18 schools. The unit also performs searches and other responses that citizens may not see because much of the work happens behind the scenes.

"There are many times we have to pay out of pocket or through our funds to make sure that we can get some of this training for the dogs and the handlers," Ashley said. Essential ongoing costs include food, shelter, and veterinary care. "Just as an example, typically, it costs just over $4,000 to feed the animals throughout a year for both dogs," Ashley said. Beyond those basics, specialized items such as medical kits, ballistic armor, bite suits, and e collars drive additional expenses that the modest budget does not fully cover.

The unit emphasizes local readiness as a fiscal and safety priority. "Ultimately, if we're not available, they'd have to call somebody else," Trent Willingham, a patrol corporal and K9 handler, said. "We would be using somebody else's resources. So, the way I look at it is to take care of our resources. That way, we're not having to call somebody that's 45 minutes or an hour away to come and do the same job that we could do." Maintaining locally based K9 capability reduces response times and keeps taxpayer costs down by avoiding long distance deployments from neighboring jurisdictions.

Handlers say while toys and treats are appreciated, monetary donations are the most flexible way for residents to help. Cash contributions allow the unit to purchase consistent equipment the dogs know and trust, and to schedule necessary training that keeps handlers and dogs ready for the variety of tasks they perform for Coryell County communities.