'You have to say no,' Mahoning deputy urges young audience during police dog demo

BOARDMAN

Anyone who gets pulled over and has suspected marijuana or other drugs in the vehicle likely wouldn’t welcome seeing Mercy sniffing around.

That’s because the 6-year-old Belgian malinois dog has received extensive, intense training in detecting marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and other drugs.

The dog’s acute abilities were on display when it immediately found seized marijuana in one of three boxes during a demonstration Sgt. Larry McLaughlin gave during the Youngstown Tailwaggers 4-H club’s meeting Tuesday at Market Street Elementary School, 5555 Market St.

A large part of the 47-year-old club’s purpose is to offer obedience and agility training, dog care and showmanship while encouraging more youngsters in urban and suburban areas to show their dogs in 4-H activities, noted Shari Yuhas, the organization’s head adviser.

McLaughlin, who has served 17 years with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department, including six as a canine handler, noted that his dog’s services are vital. That’s frighteningly true especially in light of the Mahoning Valley’s heroin addiction epidemic, he said.

“All you have to do is be near it and you’re done,” McLaughlin warned his young audience, saying that the problem affects people of all races and income levels as well as those from all parts of Mahoning County. “It’s nasty, nasty stuff. You have to say no.”

Read more of his remarks in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.