By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON - A local woman is offering $1,600 so Deputy David Rackliffe's dog, Rugar, can ride in a county cruiser more safely, Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike said Thursday.

The money would be used to purchase an insert for the cruiser that will be safer for the dog than the carpeted wooden platform currently in the cruiser's back seat. This is the donor's second offer in recent months. Each time she requested anonymity.

In September, she donated $1,200 so Rackliffe and Rugar could attend canine training at the criminal justice academy. Pike said the donor was waiting for him in the hallway outside the commissioners' offices after their meeting last week. She was there to give the sheriff the first check to pay for two canine-training sessions: patrol school and drug school.

Pike introduced her to commissioners and, during the conversation, the donor learned about the need for the insert. She offered to pay for that as well. State law dictates that donations to government offices cannot be anonymous, to avoid any perception of impropriety. Although the donor understands that her identity must be public record, she requested that newspapers not print her name. She isn't doing this for recognition, said Rackliffe at the September meeting, adding that she would withdraw her offer if the media released her identity.

It isn't a done deal yet. Commissioners will need to vote to accept her donation at their next meeting Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rackliffe and Rugar are scheduled to start their training March 14.