RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JANUARY 17, 2018—Texas based non-profit K9s4COPs has donated one trained K9 police officer to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

The dual-purpose narcotics and tracking dog will be certified and partnered with a handler from the Ruidoso Police Department. K9s4COPs will work closely with the 14 month old Belgian Malinois "K9 Csini" as she begins sweeping of the race track for illegal equine performance enhancing drugs.

"Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino is committed to the elimination of illegal equine performance drugs such as Albuterol, Clenbuterol and numerous compounded peptides," says Jeff True, General Manager and President.

K9 Csini will be partnered with a certified K9 handler from the Ruidoso Police Department. "We are thrilled to accept this K9 and proud to partner with K9s4COPs as we join efforts to combat the illegal equine performance drug epidemic. We thank K9s4COPs for all they do worldwide to support law enforcement agencies," Chief Chief Darren Hooker, Ruidoso Police Department.

K9s4COPs was founded in 2010 by Texas Philanthropist, Kristi Schiller, to fund the donations of highly trained K9s to law enforcement agencies and schools around the world. These donations offset the costs of budget cuts, which can deeply affect the K9 unit. In 2014, Schiller founded the initiative K9s4KIDs, which provides trained K9s to schools and universities. Typically, each K9 can cost in range of $15,000 to a specialized K9 that can value in excess of $35,000. These essential tools are often the first to fall to department budget cuts.

"Hands down, a trained K9 is the most powerful tools that law enforcement can utilize in the war against drugs and the ability to keep our communities safe. K9s are essential tools in the pursuit of illegal contraband. I have a personal passion for Quarter Horse racing, so on behalf of K9s4COPs, we are honored to assist Ruidoso Downs Race Track in the war on illegal performance enhancing drugs," said Schiller.

For complete Ruidoso Downs’ information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow the Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter.