Henryetta's K9 officer keeps busy

Crooks and drug dealers who drive through the small town of Henryetta had better steer clear of Anni. Because she will find what their hiding. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Steve Berg has more on the

Tuesday, November 15th 2005, 10:04 am

By: News On 6

Crooks and drug dealers who drive through the small town of Henryetta had better steer clear of Anni. Because she will find what their hiding.

News on 6 reporter Steve Berg has more on the latest member of the Henryetta Police Department.

The long arm of the law in Henryetta just got extended by four feet. Robert Heath with the Henryetta Police Department: "We went around to a lot of citizens, different businesses in town, letting them know what we wanted to do and they really stepped up to donate the money to get the dog."

The city didn't have the budget for a K9 unit, so private citizens donated the $4,700 needed to buy and train the dog and Anni didn't waste any time paying them back. Robert Heath: "The first money seizure we ever did was $124,000, so that took care of that right there. We assisted on one that the Highway Patrol had made that was $397,000."

Anni is tough to trick, no matter where people have hidden their loot. "Just about anything, gas tanks, tires, natural wood, anywhere they can stick it, they'll stick it." Henryetta is a town of only about 6,000 people, but because of its location, it gets more than its fair share of suspicious traffic. â€œHenryetta's got 2 major highways, US 75 and Interstate 40, which both are big highways coming out of Texas and all the way across the United States."

Anni is a veritable cash cow, make that dog. After just one year on the job, she's helped seize $650,000 in suspected drug money. The Henryetta Police Department has been able to buy 3 new vehicles, including the one Anni rides in, along with new guns, uniforms, and other gear.

All she asks in return is that you play ball. â€œI wouldn't want any other partner, she's go home with me at night with me and my family. She's pretty much a part of the family."