PERRYSBURG – The Perrysburg Township Police Department has a new weapon with some
serious bite.
"X" the K-9 has been on duty for only two weeks, but has already made a
significant haul in terms if sniffing out drugs and criminals.
Officer Jason Gladney, X’s handler, introduced the dog to the township trustees at
the board’s regular meeting Wednesday.
"He’s the whole package," Gladney said. "He does everything. We’ve got
a real special dog."
X has already assisted in apprehending more than an ounce of marijuana, over 1,800
pills, a small amount of heroin, and a knife.
X’s areas of expertise are in criminal apprehension, people tracking (both criminals
and missing persons), and narcotic location, with a specialty in marijuana,
cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
"He’s doing well," said Gladney, who brings X into his family home when not
on duty.
"We’ve got a good dog. He’s real mellow. He’s awesome. He turns it on and off.
He’s great at home with the kids and family," he said.
X was bred in the Czech Republic, and replaces the township’s old K-9
"Bodo" who retired more than two years ago. X is the township’s only
K-9.
"We’ve got a great dog. He listens. He’s great around people," Gladney
said.
Gladney also stated that X is more mellow than some police K-9’s, and is able to bite
criminals while leaving only bruises. The dog is also able to stop in
mid-pursuit and circle the suspect if the suspect decides it’s better to
surrender than keep running.
"It’s kind of surprising. If he bites properly, which he does, it should be just
a bit of bruising … It’s more of just a pressure bite," Gladney said.
Police Chief Mark Hetrick reiterated the importance of having a K-9 in the
department.
"He provides excellent service for the narcotics detection. It also helps with
people missing, a child or an elderly person, article searches, some type of
crime where you have to find some missing items. The list goes on and on,"
Hetrick said.
"It’s a tool that humans don’t possess."