Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Prein, Kubista, Pieper
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) /2020
Honoring a Man’s Best Friend (Prein – Blanket 2020)
At the Loyal City Council meeting Sept. 15, Loyal Police Chief Matt Kubista (left) presented former city police officer Matt Prein with a blanket in memory of K9 Officer “Rex” whom Prein worked with while on duty. “Matt, when he first came here, he had asked me to start a K9 program for the city of Loyal,” said Kubista. The city’s first police dog was Axel, but he was only with the department about six months and could not continue due to health issues. Then the city got Rex. Prein served the city with Rex from 2011 to 2016. In 2016, Prein transferred to the sheriff’s department and Rex went with him. Prein worked with Rex until February of this year. Earlier this month, Rex had to be put down due to health issues that made it too difficult for him to be taken care of. “Matt lost a partner and friend, so we wanted something to remind him of good memories,” said Kubista. City deputy clerk Viki Pieper helped to collect and organize the pictures for the blanket. Valorie Brecht/Clark County Press
