A couple weeks after a Cobb Police K-9 annex was named for Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, the new facility will officially open next week.
A ribbon-cutting for the Joann K. Birrell Police K9 annex will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta.
That’s where the team of nine K-9 teams operates in assisting in criminal investigations, including narcotics, explosives, evidence recovery and search and rescue.
Birrell, a noted dog-lover, was taken by surprise during a recognition at the board’s Jan. 9 meeting, when her colleagues informed her they voted to name the new facility after her.
She was also joined by her husband, David Birrell, and some of the K-9 dogs, who are Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds and a Dutch Shepherd.
As a leader of the Northeast Cobb Business Association, she led fundraising efforts to help Cobb Police purchase service dogs before she was in public office.
As a commissioner, she has earmarked some of her district contingency funding to replace a retiring dog and fund the department’s kennel system.
Birrell also helped create Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets, a partnership with Superior Plumbing and Cobb Animal Services that waives fees for military veterans who adopt shelter dogs and cats.
The Cobb Police K-9 program accepts donations from the public; more information and online payment are available by clicking here.
Related:
- Cobb Police shoot man with gun on Columns Drive
- Teen arrested after carjacking, lockdown at KSU campus
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