Marinello Realty helps raise money for K-9 unit for Wayne County Sheriff
Amy Marinello said that her office decided to help raise the money because the need for the unit is so great.
"We feel that people are going to want to give to this fund to help get the unit because so many in the community will benefit from the use of the dog. It will also benefit surrounding communities that need the assistance of a police dog," Marinello said.
Eight years ago was the last time the sheriff's office had a K-9 unit. It was eliminated during budget cuts taking place at the time. The newly elected sheriff believes adding a police dog to the force would benefit the community in a number of ways.
"We would like to purchase one unit for now and possibly another one in the future," Hutchinson said.
"I'd like to have the unit in place by summer. One area that a police dog can help us is in intercepting drugs in cars and homes before the drugs can be distributed throughout the community. Dogs can find drugs and large amounts of cash in cars during regular traffic stops," he said.
Other ways the K-9 unit can help include:
- Tracking suspects that have fled a scene or escaped
- Tracking lost persons including seniors that may walk away from a facility or finding autistic children that walk off on their own
- Searching for suspects hiding in attics or other areas of buildings
- Protection and added safety of officers – when an officer cannot see or hear a person, a dog can sense where someone may be hiding
- At times, a dog can help diffuse a violent situation
- The dog can be used at the common pleas court both at the front door and inside the courtroom to maintain order
- Search schools for drugs and contraband through special request or invitation by the school
There has been an increase in the county in illegal drug trafficking. Hutchinson said that statistics provided by MEDWAY (Medina and Wayne County Drug Enforcement Agency) show that 24 meth labs were found in the county in 2012 versus three in 2011. There were 98 charges for meth last year versus six in 2011. There were 36 heroin violations in 2012, up one from 2011.
Surrounding counties such as Summit, Stark and Medina all have K-9 units. The Wooster Police Dept. also has police dogs.
"The sheriff's office is short on manpower and adding the dog will be like adding another officer," Hutchinson said.
Wooster Police Chief Matthew Fisher, who is also a canine evaluator for the state of Ohio and a previous dog handler, said the dog works the same number of hours as his handler.
"The dog and the handler get certified together," Fisher said.
"The dog is with the assigned handler for the entire shift."
Continued costs for the dog have already been managed. The dog gets assigned to one officer and lives with that officer in his or her home. Hutchinson said that Dr. Rich Mairs has donated veterinarian services for the life of the dog and a dog food company has donated food for the life of the dog.
The sheriff's office will also need to buy a specially equipped cruiser for transporting the dog. He said the department has the opportunity to purchase a used cruiser already setup with a cage, special air conditioning ventilation and other equipment needed for the dog.
The first step is raising money for the purchase of the K-9 unit and getting the handler trained and certified.
Any size donation to the Sheriff's K-9 Fund Community Project is welcome, from individuals or businesses, through May. All donations are tax deductible and will be held in a county account earmarked specifically for the K-9 unit.
For more information, call Amy Marinello at 330-465-7330 or email her at marinello@sssnet.com. Those wanting to donate can mail a check made out to the Sheriff's K-9 Fund to Marinello Realty, 2910 Cleveland Rd., Wooster 44691.