FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners unanimously accepted a donation from a resident for Deputy David Rackliffe and his dog, Rugar, to attend the criminal justice academy.

The item, first on the agenda, was initially tabled to give Rackliffe the opportunity to contact the donor, who had requested anonymity. State law dictates that donations to government offices cannot be anonymous, to avoid any perception of impropriety, Commissioner Gary McGrane said.

Rackliffe returned several minutes later saying that although the donor understands that her identity must be public record, she requests that newspapers not print her name. She is not doing this for recognition, said Rackliffe, adding that she would withdraw her offer if the media released her identity.

The woman has offered to donate $1,200 for two training sessions – patrol school and drug school.

Commissioners accepted her donation, although it was not clear if Rackliffe and Rugar would be starting training in September, as Rackliffe hopes, or in January.

The commission does not have the authority to approve expenditures for the dog. The issue will have to come before the budget committee, which will begin deliberations in late fall.

Rackliffe has spent the past year and a half training Rugar on his own. The 3-year-old German shepherd unofficially attended the academy with Deputy Nate Bean when he attended with his dog, Ben.

Last week, Rackliffe said, he took Rugar to the Chesterville Fire Department for a training exercise. Deputies stashed Ecstasy and cocaine in several locations throughout the building. Although the dog had not smelled cocaine in a year and a half, he had no trouble locating the drug, Rackliffe said. The dog passed right over the Ecstasy, however, not having had the training yet.

Rugar also performed admirably in a few short human tracks, he said.