Canine Officer Rose visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Oziel Jeffries, Pres. Byesville Rotary; Dep. Oakley; Rose; Sgt. McClay; and Det. Sgt. Paden.

Reading for next meeting:August Rotarian, pp. 16-27--"Small Grants." 

Board meeting Thursday, 12N at Plus One Pizza.

 

Det. Sgt. Jeff Paden, Sgt. McClay, and Dep. Oakley introduced Canine Officer Rose to the club members. Rose is a hard working member of the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Department. Rose has been answering calls three shifts a day. She is an important part of the Sheriff’s Department’s war on drugs in Guernsey County. In the past two years, Rose has been responsible for 63 convictions—most resulting from vehicle stops.

The Sheriff’s Department has recently purchased a new dog named Yuri who is a multifunctional dog. Rose is a specialist who is trained to search for drugs. Yuri, who is trained to track, apprehend, search buildings, as well as look for drugs, is expected to be even more effective at getting convictions than Rose.

Yuri is a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois breed was chosen because this breed has fewer health problems than a German Sheppard. Yuri must be certified to work in Ohio. Sgt. McClay, his human partner, stated that the certification process is 90% complete. He expects certification to be finalized by September. Sgt. McClay reported that training for dogs and handlers is continual. Both the handler and his dog partner must attend 16 hours of training each month.

The Sheriff’s Department and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #136 are hoping that members of the public will help support the purchase of a second dog to assist Yuri when Rose retires. Once Rose retires, Yuri will be asked to work 3 shifts a day.

A new dog costs about $10,000. A special car insert for the dog is $1700 and a door popper is $550. The special insert will open the window if the vehicle engine stops running while the officer is out of the car taking a call. This piece of equipment will insure that Yuri will not be trapped in a car that is becoming too hot or cold and endangering his life. The door popper will allow the officer to open the vehicle doors if he needs the dog to come to his assistance. Contact Det. Sgt. Paden or Sgt. McClay at 740-439-4455 to make a donation.

The presentation ended with a Rose demonstrating what she does when she is on the job. She searched for drugs and found the hidden demonstration package quickly.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Evelyn Spring, 740-439-4343.