Sheriff’s office welcomes new K-9s | News, Sports, Jobs - Morning Journal

2022-06-15 11:32:55 By : Ms. Vanky Chen

Photo provided by Sheriff Brian McLaughlin The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office introduces new K-9s Jimmy and Diva with their handlers, Deputy Jonathan Kerchofer with K-9 Jimmy, left, and Deputy Luke Skidmore with K-9 Diva.

LISBON — The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office welcomed two more K-9s to the department, K-9 Jimmy handled by Deputy Jonathan Kerchofer and K-9 Diva handled by Deputy Luke Skidmore.

The two deputies trained for six weeks with their dogs, who are both of the Belgian Malinois breed, at Alpha Pack K-9 Training in Springfield Township in Mahoning County, receiving their certifications on Monday.

They’re now part of a K-9 crew that includes Deputy Damin Beadnell and K-9 Hunter, who joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2019. The department’s first, K-9 Jesy, who was handled by Lt. Allan Young, retired in 2020.

“I think it will greatly assist us in being proactive and going after the criminals in the county,” Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said Tuesday.

K-9 Jimmy is a dual purpose dog, meaning he can do narcotics, article searches and tracking, along with apprehension and protection. K-9 Diva is a single purpose dog for narcotics, article searches and tracking.

McLaughlin said Alpha Pack donated both dogs, along with the training, so there was zero cost to the county. A kennel was donated for one K-9 vehicle and the other kennel was purchased to place in another SUV. A K-9 vehicle with the equipment was ordered, but McLaughlin said supply chain issues are delaying delivery.

He had wanted to get a second K-9 and Alpha Pack called to say there was a grant program available and encouraged him to apply. The grant was awarded to a different agency for a dog and cruiser, but then Alpha Pack called again and said additional funding was available, offering at no cost K-9 Jimmy, who was named by the Sheriff’s Office. Two months later, McLaughlin received another call, this time offering Diva, who already had her name.

All three dogs are on call, but will be working shifts primarily in the evenings, which is the busier time when needed. McLaughlin said federal mandates require a minimum 16 hours of training per month for each K-9/handler team, but they’re scheduled for 32 hours of training per month. At times they’ll train together or at several different locations. Each handler receives three and a half hours of compensation per week for caring for their dog, which becomes part of their family and lives with them.

The department has a K-9 fund that’s used to supply the K-9s with some of the needed equipment. Residents can donate to the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Fund, 105 S. Market St., Lisbon, Ohio 44432.

McLaughlin was happy to have the new K-9 teams.

“I look forward to seeing the work product they put out for us. I’m sure all of them will be doing a fantastic job for us,” he said.

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