Le Mars, Iowa — Sheldon’s Police K9, along with his human partner, performed well in the recent United States Police K9 Association Trials held in Le Mars.
The USPCA Regional K9 Trials were hosted by Le Mars Police and the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office on Monday and Tuesday this week.
Sheldon’s K9, Balin, and his human partner Sergeant Eric Meineke have been a team for two years — since 2021. Balin received his badge and started working for the Sheldon Police Department in July of 2021
Sheldon Police officials are saying congratulations to Balin and his teammates for finishing in first place at trials and congratulations to Balin for his second-place finish in apprehension.
A post on one of the department’s social media accounts says, “Thanks to the Le Mars Police Department for hosting and thanks to Officer Roberts for being Balin’s chew toy.”
We are told that 36 teams from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota competed in a variety of skills at the Le Mars event, including obedience, searches, evidence recovery and apprehension. Organizers say it is a competition, but the main reason for the trials is to certify the teams for service to their department.
