Pictured in photo (left to right): Sheriff Bennie Vick, State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti, Deputy James Wright, and Bara.

MARION, IL — Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti Monday made a $3,000 donation to Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick’s K9 program to help with the purchase of their new K9, Bara.

Zanotti says the sheriff’s most recent K9 passed away a couple of months ago, so a new one was needed. Deputy James Wright, the K9 officer, recently underwent a training course with Bara in Indiana. Bara was born and initially trained in the Netherlands, which is a popular place for successful police dog training. She is a two-year-old Belgium Malinois.

Zanotti says K9 officers help with so many things other than just sensing and detecting drugs, from tracking missing persons or fleeing fugitives or suspects, to helping defend police officers from dangerous situations. Zanotti says he was thrilled to meet Bara and to see the great work he knows she will end up doing for the county.

Sheriff Vick appreciated the donation saying it is great to have a State’s Attorney who recognizes the importance of working together to make our communities a safer place to live and raise our families.