Wednesday, May 23, 2012
By Ashley Luthern
aluthern@vindy.com
NEW SPRINGFIELD
The newest member of Springfield Township’s police force arrived early for his first shift.
Dany, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, reported for duty Tuesday afternoon. He is the township’s first police dog and recently completed six weeks of training with his handler, Officer Glenn Corey, at Shallow Creek Kennel in Sharpsville, Pa.
During the training, Dany honed his skills of tracking, narcotic detection and article retrieval, Corey said.
“Articles mean if a [suspect] is being tracked, and the bad guy tosses evidence, Dany will seek it out,” said Corey, who gives commands to Dany in Czech, because the dog’s earlier training was in that language.
Dany trained alongside other canine units, including Cairo, the new Austintown police dog.
Springfield Chief Matthew Mohn said the community provided donations totaling $12,750, enough to cover the cost of the dog, training and equipment.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the community,” Mohn said.
Mohn also credited Corey.
“I’m amazed at how well the dog listens. [Corey] has done a great job through the training, and he is a true partner with this canine,” Mohn said.
Corey, who joined Springfield police about five years ago, was born and reared in the township.
“Being a police dog handler, it’s just one thing I always wanted to do. ...And it’s one more tool for the department,” Corey said.
Although being a handler means more responsibility for Corey — “It really is like having another child” — there also are times to relax.
“When we go home, I just let him be a dog and we play for about an hour,” Corey said.