T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Thompson True Value Owner/Operator Dave Thompson poses with a box of Milk-Bone dog biscuits on Thursday. On Saturday, 100 percent of the proceeds of Milk-Bone sales will go toward the Marshalltown Police Department’s K9 fundraiser.

A prominent Marshalltown business owner is throwing his support behind the Marshalltown Police Department’s efforts to obtain a new K-9 unit.

Dave Thompson, owner-operator of Thompson True Value, is donating 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of 10-pound boxes of Milk-Bone dog biscuits to the MPD.

“The customer gets a good deal — we typically charge $17.99 per box and are selling them now at $9.99 per box — and the MPD gets help in their efforts to protect and serve the public,” he said.

Central Iowans will have an opportunity to meet K-9 Ajax and his handler from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store, Thompson said.

The business, which is renowned for supporting a wide variety of community betterment initiatives, has a huge display of the bright-red boxes of dog biscuits in the store’s entrance, with signs announcing the promotion.

True Value also is promoting the sale of Milk Bones on its marquee, which operates 24/7 and sits prominently at the intersection of South Center Street and Linn Street.

The MPD announced earlier this year a second K-9 is needed to bring the unit up to full strength.

They have set a goal of $30,000 to purchase a dog, cover specialized training and equipment expenses, reported the MPD website.

“Police K-9 units are a valuable tool for the MPD,” said the department’s website. “K-9s are used for the detection and prevention of crime as well as the detection of illegal narcotics.

Police dogs are also trained to locate and follow human scent, which aids the MPD in apprehending suspects.

It also helps find residents who are lost.

“Our community has supported this program through donations since 1981, and we are proud of the work these four-legged crime fighters have provided,” said the website.

The MPD acquires their police service dogs from a vendor in Minnesota.

“These special dogs are highly skilled and bred specifically for the demands of police work,” the website said. “They come from overseas and have multiple generations of police work in their DNA. The dogs are generally between 10-12 months old when they arrive in the United States.”

Earlier this month, the Marshalltown Evening Lions Club donated $1,111 to the cause which was matched equally by Marshalltown Hy-Vee for a total of $2,222.

“We need the community’s help again,” said MPD Police Chief Mike Tupper. “This program is critically important to our daily efforts in crime prevention. We cannot maintain this program without support from Marshalltown residents.”

Thompson True-Value is at 109 S. Center St. The hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The business can be reached at 641-753-6647.

To make a donation, for additional information, or to see a K-9 demonstration, contact Capt. Kiel Stevenson, at 641-844-1802 or kstevenson@marshalltown-ia.gov.