Above is Deputy Robert Lent with K-9 Knowlton. Photo submitted by St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office’s new K-9 Knowlton has been assigned to handler Deputy Robert Lent.

Deputy Lent and Knowlton completed their training at Phillip’s Command Dogs in Olean on Feb. 20.

Knowlton is certified in tracking and narcotics detection. Knowlton’s second day on the job showed she learned her training well when she assisted the Canton Police Department in discovering 28.4 grams of cocaine and 14 pounds of marijuana as well as $24,000 in cash, according to the Sheriff’s Office

K-9 Knowlton is named after the late Keith Knowlton, who served was St. Lawrence County sheriff from 1979 through 1999 and first introduced the K-9 program to the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office in 1982.

“Sheriff Knowlton was a big proponent of the K-9 program that has, over the years, aided in finding lost children, tracking suspects, and discovering of illicit drugs,” the sheriff’s office said.

Since the program began, there have been 10 K-9 Units: Scott Sutherland with K-9’s Maxx and Shadow, Dewey LaValley with K-9 Flint, Ed Clary with K-9 Keiser, Brooks Bigwarfe with K-9 Bo, Mike Knowlton with K-9 Myers, Kenny Williams with K-9 Dino, Andrew Ashley with K-9 Hershey, Collin Nicol with K-9 Fable, and now Robert Lent with K-9 Knowlton

“We have to thank Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge, Kevin Kelly and Resident Agent in Charge, Russ Linstead for working with the Sheriff’s Office and advocating for the K-9 program. For many years HSI has helped provide funding for training and the initial cost for the canines,” Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe said.

Sheriff Bigwarfe has plans to ensure future K-9 dogs will be named in honor of former St. Lawrence County sheriffs, undersheriffs and deputies.

“The Sheriff and Sheriff’s Office are very proud of the K-9 program and will be advocating for a second K-9 unit in 2022. Initial funding for a K-9 is not a county-covered expense and funding from the public and other agencies is necessary,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Anyone who wants to donate to the K-9 program can send donations to St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, 49 1/2 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 and note on the check it is for the K-9 program.