DALLAS TWP. — The newest addition to the Dallas Township Police Department’s K-9 Unit, an 18-month-old Dutch shepherd called Tomy, was introduced to supervisors Tuesday.
Still adjusting to his new home with Police Officer Brian Feeney after only a week on the job, Tomy put his best paw forward and made a positive impression on the supervisors.
“He is fully trained in narcotic odors,” said Feeney, Tomy’s handler. “He is certified and in-service, but everything is new to him.”
Tomy displayed his energy and curiosity by pacing as far as his leash would allow in front of Feeney.
Tomy is the third dog to serve in the unit, Feeney said. Macko was the first serving from 2006 to 2009. Aron served from 2009 to 2015. Macko and Aron both died due to lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes, Feeney said.
A $8,500 grant from drug forfeiture funds was acquired to purchase and train Tomy, Supervisor William Grant said.
“When we decided that we were going to continue the K-9 Unit program. We did research as to which breed of dog we wanted to go with next,” Feeney said. “We decided on the Dutch shepherd because they are supposed to have a better health record.”
Feeney contacted a trainer in western Pennsylvania who said it would be hard to find that breed. A breeder in the Netherlands was located. Tomy was transported nearly 3,880 miles from the Netherlands to Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, for four to five weeks of training to become a police canine.
“Breeding regulations are more strict in Europe than in the states,” Feeney said.
Feeney trained with Tomy for two weeks before bringing him home in early February.
“He is still in the learning stage,” Feeney said.
In other news, planning for the township’s bicentennial celebration has started.
Last week, a brainstorming session was held to get public feedback on how to honor the milestone.
“We received a lot of good ideas,” Grant said.
The goal is to celebrate the township’s founding in April 2017 with a parade and then schedule an event every month for the rest of the year, said Supervisor Elizabeth Martin.
The next bicentennial planning meeting will be held in April, Grant said.
The next regular monthly supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 15 in the municipal building.
