Lanesborough Police Officer James Rathbun with K-9 Nitro
Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless has pledged $2,000 to help defray the cost of a new K-9 for a local police department.

Capeless says the funds that will be donated to the Lanesborough Police K-9 Fund come from money seized and forfeited from drug dealers. "I am pleased to be able to offer monetary support to the K-9 police officers in Berkshire County for the important work that they do, and it is especially gratifying to use these funds that at one time were used by criminals to support illegal drug activity."

Lanesborough Police Officer James Rathbun's K-9 partner, Nitro, will be retired shortly due to a medical condition. Nitro and Rathbun have worked together for the past 5 years. During that time they have participated in searches for narcotics, have conducted building searches for criminal suspects and have helped find missing children and hikers. Rathbun is also the Treasurer of the Massachusetts Police Work Dog Association.

Lanesborough K-9 Nitro
According to Capeless, "It costs more than $8,000 to purchase and train a new dog to perform the specialized work of a law enforcement canine. Members of the public have been great in responding to the request for donations to this worthy cause, but the Lanesborough Police Department still needs to raise another $2,000. I would urge anyone who would like to support this worthy cause to donate."

Contributions can be made care of:

Lanesborough Police K-9 Fund
c/o Lanesborough Police Department
PO Box 1560
Lanesborough, MA 01237