K9 Sassy is a 2 ½ year old Belgian Mallinois who works as a narcotics detection dog for the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force (BRDTF) where she primarily serves the Minnesota Counties of Pipestone, Murray, and Nobles. K9 Sassy also works alongside many other state and federal agencies conducting drug investigations. K9 Sassy was purchased in November 2014 by the BRDTF using drug forfeiture funds and was assigned to a BRDTF agent from the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office. Since working together the team has become certified as a narcotics detection team with the USPCA region 12.
On May 13, 2016, K9 Sassy was found to be infected with heartworm. In Jan 2015 during K9 Sassy’s first regular exam she tested negative for Heartworm, but despite receiving monthly treatments of heartworm preventative medication she now tests positive, leaving the probability that she was infected during the January 2015 test but tested negative because heartworms must be approximately 7 months old before the infection can be diagnosed.
On May 17, 2016 with the help of the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, K9 Sassy started a 271 day treatment designed by the American Heartworm Society to rid her of the heartworms. K9 Sassy will also be evaluated by the vets at the University of Minnesota to make sure there is no other damage to her organs. Along with the medication treatments, K9 Sassy will have multiple vet visits and tests by different vet specialists. After day 60 of treatment, K9 Sassy will be confined to a kennel for around 60 days to prevent excessive blood flow which could cause a piece of dead worm to break off and block a blood vessel.
Any donations would be used to offset the costs of vet bills, kenneling, and medications which will easily run in excess of $2,800.00.
Donations are accepted through a Go Fund Me page set up by the Pipestone Sheriff’s Office at https://www.gofundme.com/24qhx6s or you may send donations by mail to: Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office P.O. Box 220, Pipestone, MN 56164. They may also be reached at (507) 825-1100.
