Byesville Rotary meets Canine Officer Xato

Pictured: Canine Officer Xato, and his handler, Officer Jason May, Byesville Police Department.

Byesville Police Officer Jason May visited the Byesville Rotary with Canine Officer Xato. Xato is the Byesville PD’s new drug dog. Officer May is his handler. May indicated that Xato is a lively, intelligent dog who loves working.

Officer May said that Xato is a young dog and will reach maturity in 6 months. Xato has dual responsibilities. He will be used for locating drugs and narcotics and for searching and tracking such as helping to locate lost children and adults suffering from dementia. He can even help locate lost items such as car keys.

May pointed out that because of the local drug problem caused by the influx of crack/cocaine much of Xato’s efforts will be used locating drugs, especially heroin which is easy to hide. May explained that during a stop, a search for drugs cannot be made without getting a search warrant if the drugs are not visible. A dog’s sensitive nose can pick up the odor of hidden drugs. Once a trained dog indicates there are drugs present, a search can be legally made without a warrant.

May stated that Xato arrived in October. The dog was purchased from a breeder in Czechoslovakia know for strict breeding requirements. He arrived in Ohio after a 20 hour flight. He is trained to respond to commands in English. May pointed out that retirement age for this dog is between 6-7 years so Officer Xato should become a familiar sight in Byesville. Xato was purchased with a combination of department budget monies and donations.

In order to insure Xato’s health and safety, May stated that the department has purchased safety equipment such as a door popper, an emergency exit button, and a siren warning signal. These items will prevent the dog from becoming stuck in an overheated vehicle when his handler is out of the vehicle. The safety features will also help May who will be able to open the vehicle doors from a distance in case he needs Xato’s assistance. The Byesville PD will be purchasing a jacket to protect Xato from being shot or stabbed which is a danger the dog faces when he is sent after a felon. Donations toward the jacket can be made to the Byesville PD.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or Instagram Byesville.rotary.ohio@gmail.com , Twitter Byesville_Club , https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.