Mercy’s Nose Knows

March 9, 2016 at 12:06a.m.

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 explained.

“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.”

McLaughlin, who’s also part of the Mahoning County Drug Task Force, explained that Mercy is highly perceptive when it comes to reading others’ emotions and moods.

“[Mercy] feeds off your body language. What I do and how I act travels down that leash,” McLaughlin said, adding he uses praise and toys as rewards for the

animal instead of food.

Also addressing the meeting was Jeff Saluga, a 23-year deputy with the sheriff’s department, whose dog has been trained in locating and helping to apprehend suspects.

“I do not let my dog around my family,” Saluga said, noting that his Belgian malinois is a working dog, not a pet and stays in a kennel in the family’s garage during off-hours.

Saluga recalled that while investigating a school break-in near Cleveland, his dog quickly found three juveniles, all of whom were hiding from authorities.

In addition, police dogs likely will be used more frequently at area truck stops, which often are sites for high numbers of drug activity, Saluga noted, adding that it can cost as much as $15,000 for a new police dog.

At the end of the presentation, Yuhas handed McLaughlin a $300 check to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 141’s canine fund. The money will go toward equipment and supplies for the dog program, he said.