Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department expands police dog program

The Southern Armstrong Regional Law enforcement Division is incorporating an additional police pet to its force.

Veegee, a 2-calendar year-outdated Belgian Malinois, will be flown from Oregon to Pittsburgh this 7 days and begin teaching to make a law enforcement certification from the North American
Police Do the job Dog Association.

Courtesy of the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Section

Veegee is the newest police canine for the Southern Armstrong Regional Law enforcement Division.

Upon finishing many months of instruction, Veegee will be part of Rudy, Southern Armstrong Regional’s current law enforcement pet dog, also a Belgian Malinois, on patrol in Freeport, Ford Metropolis and Gilpin.

Many thanks to fundraisers and ongoing donations from the
general public, Veegee was ordered for about $8,000, mentioned Southern Armstrong Regional Main Chris Fabec.

“We’ve been in a position to fund both of those canines at no value to the section,” Fabec said. “Everyone’s been fantastic at supporting the program with donations.”

Gilpin Supervisor Charles Stull, who also is chairman of the Southern Armstrong Regional Law enforcement Division, thanked the community for the donations that preserve the police pet dog program afloat.

“This K-9 fund covers the acquire, training, auto up-match and veterinarian charges, and (the donations) are enormously appreciated,” Stull reported. “Veegee will invest the coming months collaborating in extreme coaching together with her handler. On the other hand, she will be viewed all-around the municipalities in the course of this system.”

Allegheny Valley Regional police Chief Mike Naviglia will provide as Veegee’s coach. Naviglia is licensed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and has additional than 20 many years of encounter functioning with police canine.

Veegee is envisioned to finish her education and start out doing the job in late April. Veegee and Rudy are spayed and neutered and will operate diverse shifts.

Fabec stated Rudy, 7, goes on an normal of four phone calls for each week and adds terrific price to the department’s good results with drug calls.

Rudy’s most modern drug bust took position all through a traffic stop in December along Route 66 in Gilpin.

“The officer requested Rudy to conduct a sweep of the vehicle, and Rudy ‘alerted’ on the trunk of the motor vehicle. And the officer utilized for and was granted a research warrant and uncovered a substantial amount of money of narcotics in the trunk,” claimed Fabec, who serves as Rudy’s handler.

Lt. Scott Haslett is in cost of the law enforcement doggy unit, a new purpose for him given that signing up for Southern Armstrong Regional in November.

“I have a ton to master myself and extend my know-how,” Haslett explained.

Haslett said internal interviews amid several officers intrigued in currently being Veegee’s handler are ongoing.

“It’s a significant responsibility due to the fact you have a law enforcement canine 24/7,” Haslett reported, “but there is been a lot of desire within the section.”

Veegee will stay with her handler and will be trained in quite a few classes, together with lookup tactics, narcotic detection, tracking and aggression, and management schooling.

Plans for the section include the invest in of a 3rd dog to let for 24/7 law enforcement pet coverage.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the department’s police canine program can e mail [email protected] or [email protected] or phone 724-845-7979.

Donations might be mailed to Southern Armstrong Regional Law enforcement Division K-9 Fund, 589 Route 66, Leechburg, PA 15656.