Mississippi Code Title 19. Counties and County Officers § 19-5-3

The board of supervisors of any county is hereby authorized and empowered to purchase and keep on hand, for the use of the sheriffs, hounds of the best breeding and training. The board, when such hounds have been purchased by them, shall allow out of the general county funds a reasonable sum of money for the purchase of said hounds, and a reasonable amount for the monthly care and maintenance of said hounds. When such hounds have not been purchased the board may allow the sheriff a reasonable amount for hire of hounds in attempting the capture of criminals charged with capital crimes.

Likewise the board of supervisors of any county in the state is hereby authorized and empowered to purchase by negotiation or otherwise, any breed of dogs suitable for law enforcement purposes and pay for same out of the general fund of the county. Said law enforcement dogs may be furnished to the sheriff of said county or to any other law enforcement officer to be used by him or them in the enforcement of the laws in said county. The board of supervisors may also appropriate and pay monthly such amounts as may be necessary to care for and maintain said law enforcement dogs.