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Police dog's handler reflects on former partner
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
City police dog handler Josh Kelly said he was not the only one in his police car whose adrenaline would flow when he got an important call.
Kelly said this week his former police dog, Helo, who had to be put to sleep Nov. 3, would start barking and get excited whenever he picked up the radio, turned on the siren or started driving fast.
Kelly has a new partner now, Gustav, but he said that one quality is the one thing that stands out about Helo.
“I kind of miss that,” Kelly said.
Helo, a Belgian Malinois who was 12, retired at the end of September and was replaced by Gustav. Both dogs lived with Kelly, his wife and their three daughters. Helo, however, was experiencing health problems, and when Kelly took him to the veterinarian, his condition had deteriorated rapidly and he had to be put down. Kelly said Helo was experiencing signs of old age before he retired as well.
When Helo was euthanized, the other officers on the department’s canine corps – Jessica Shields, Marcin Stachowicz and Nick Bailey – all showed up to give Kelly support. Kelly said he is grateful for their presence.
“It was really helpful to have someone else around who understands how close you can get with these dogs,” Kelly said.
Kelly said Helo’s passing also was hard on his family. He said the dog was very gentle with his daughters, and they were very close to Helo.
“When we were at home, he was just like any other dog,” Kelly said.
His family’s support has also been strong, Kelly said.
Kelly said he also wanted to thank Becker Funeral Home in Struthers who cremated Helo for free. Kelly keeps Helo’s ashes in an urn at his home.
Kelly said he enjoys working with Gustav and his new partner, known as “Goose,” is getting the hang of the road, especially working midnights. Just last week Goose was called to a traffic stop and found some heroin and crack cocaine.
Helo worked with Kelly for almost eight years, as the dog began service with Kelly in November 2007.