A whole new dog house. Lexington’s canine officers get new facility to call home.

Lexington’s canine officers have new place to call home.

City and police leaders cut the ribbon Monday on a new canine facility near Old Frankfort Pike and Alexandria Drive. “This much-needed kennel is an incredible improvement over the old canine facility,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “Just as officers and their four-legged partners help to keep Lexington safe, it’s important that we ensure they have a safe place to work, train and live.”

The new facility has a 4,000 square-foot kennel and room for 20 dogs. The police Canine Unit has 13 dogs, and in 2019, responded to 1,014 calls for service, including tracking subjects, building searches and narcotics deployments, the city said in a news release.

“Our department has utilized police dogs since 1962, led by an officer named Kenney Watson, who retired in 1997 as an assistant chief. In 1968, Watson and other officers built the kennel located at Old Frankfort and Forbes Road,” Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said. “I think Chief Watson would be proud of this new facility. We’re proud of it. And we’re looking forward to using this space for many years to come.”