TRUMBULL CO. Sheriff's new dog can sniff out bombs

The dog can detect odors, including smokeless powder and TNT.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Not every dog can tell the difference between a bone and a bomb.
Brisco, a 2-year-old German shepherd, will be out to prove that he has a nose for trouble as the newest reserve deputy with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department.
Brisco, who is certified with the North American Police Work Dog Association, was sworn is this morning.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere said Brisco is the only certified bomb-sniffing dog in the Mahoning Valley. The next-closest one is in Geauga County.
"We are very lucky to have him as part of our team" said Ernie Cook, chief deputy. "He will be a tremendous help."
Cook and Altiere said the 90-pound black shepherd is volunteering his time to the department right now.
"We will be working out some type of contract with other agencies so if Brisco is needed, he will be paid," Cook said.
Owner, handler: Reserve Deputy Brenda Dunsh is Brisco's owner and handler. Dunsh works part time for the sheriff's department and Vienna Township Police Department.
"I also have a full-time job, but my employer has agreed that if Brisco is needed, I can leave," Dunsh said.
Dunsh noted that she decided a few years ago that she wanted to do "something different in law enforcement."
"I talked to some people and decided that working with a bomb-sniffing dog would be interesting and helpful to the community," Dunsh said.
Dunsh paid to have Brisco trained and certified so the county will not incur any of those costs, Cook said.
The sheriff noted that if a bomb threat is reported, the dog will be used to check the facility.
Fast work: "The dog can go through and check a building a lot quicker than an officer," Cook said.
Dunsh noted the dog can check an average-size school classroom in about a minute.
"His sense of smell is very strong," Dunsh said, noting that Brisco is capable of detecting explosive odors and components, including smokeless powder, black powder, commercial dynamite and TNT.
Cook said that the dog "is passive and very good with people."
"If he finds something, he is trained just to sit down," Cook said. "He is not an attack dog. He is very gentle."
sinkovich@vindy.com