K 9

One lucky dog has not only found a loving home, but also a noble purpose. Zoey is the latest addition to the South Bend Police Department K-9 division. The 2-year-old Sheperd mix was found abandoned, walking the streets. A local animal shelter took her in and that's where she caught the eye of a South Bend Police sergeant. Officers say her enthusiasm to play catch and hunt made her stand out from the rest. She'll start working as a drug dog in the spring. "Zoey isn't a narcotic dog that we got from a shelter, and we're going to kind of make do. She was born to be a detector dog that just so happened to be at an animal shelter," said Sergeant Brian Miller.

Kazimir is the new K-9 on the Elkhart Police Department. The 2-year-old German Shepherd comes from Poland and is trained in handler protection, building and area searches, tracking and explosives. His training in explosives detection makes him one of only three dogs in northern Indiana so trained, according to a news release from Lt. Ed Windbigler, Elkhart Police public information officer. Kazimir’s handler is Elkhart Police Officer Drew Neese. Kazimir replaces Esokt, who also was trained in explosives detection.

A K-9 who assisted in the arrest of over 80 suspects while working with the Elkhart Police Department is headed for retirement. Neko is being retired this week because of his age and for health reasons, according to a department spokesperson. The 9-year-old dog will spend the rest of his days living as a family pet under the care of his handler, Sgt. Jack Oldroyd.   Neko was with the department for 7 years. “Neko was a dual purpose K-9; he worked patrol and narcotic detection.  He assisted in apprehending over 80 suspects,” according to a news release.

GROVERTOWN - Indiana State Police say a K-9 unit tracked a suspect trying to escape arrest for nearly half a mile Thursday morning. This happened just before 9 a.m. when a deputy with the Starke County Sheriff's Department spotted 40-year-old Jeff Knoebel of Grovertown - who was wanted for possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance - driving on U.S. 30. Police say he turned into the Grovertown truck stop, made...

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A police officer serving a warrant and his K-9 police dog both have been shot and seriously wounded in Terre Haute. The Terre Haute Tribune-Star says the officer has been airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital after being treated at a Terre Haute hospital following the shooting Monday afternoon on the city's north side. Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts says the suspected gunman has been detained inside an apartment. Also inside the home were two other people wanted on warrants, and Watts says both have surrendered.

MISHAWAKA — Police say finding a replacement for Ricky, the K9 police dog killed with Cpl. James Szuba in a January traffic accident, won’t be easy. But one local band hopes to make if affordable. Next week, on Feb. 13, the Midway Tavern will host a concert by Vyagra Falls, a band made up predominately of area doctors, with all proceeds from the show going to help cover the costs of replacing Ricky. The cost of buying and training a new K-9 is about $5,000, said Mishawaka Assistant Chief Mike Samp, and doesn’t include the costs associated with training an officer to work with the dog. Samp said the costs associated with replacing Ricky are not covered by insurance.

ELKHART — A local police K-9 trainer says the deaths of Cpl. Szuba and his dog, Ricky, in a crash over the weekend are a shame. Rudy Drexler has trained hundreds of police dogs for police departments in this area and around the world. He did not train Ricky, but has worked with both of them in the past. He said police dogs go through 6 to 8 weeks of intensive training. They learn obedience on and off leash, as well as tracking, handler protection, and many go through narcotics or explosives training.

MISHAWAKA — First came his family, somber and dressed in black, bound by their love for the man they called dad, husband, brother, uncle. Then came the officers, by the hundreds, in pressed uniforms and grim expressions, bound by a code to protect, to serve and, on the saddest occasions, to honor their fallen comrade. Then came the dogs, 85 in all, K-9 officers led by their handlers, each bound by the ancient code of dog and master, a tribute to both the fallen officer and his German shepherd partner.

MISHAWAKA — Rarely did a minute tick away Monday that someone wasn't kneeling, saluting, or crying over the police cruiser parked in front of the Mishawaka Police Department. It has become a memorial; a way for community members, fellow police officers, and their family members to honor Cpl. Jim Szuba's service and sacrifice along with that of his K-9 partner, Ricky. There are roses, hand-written letters, teddy bears, pictures and milk bones. Few people wanted to talk to the media.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — The deaths of Cpl. Szuba and his K-9 companion, are being felt throughout the community. Those include members of Cpl. Szuba's church, and those who knew him as a police officer. Cpl. Szuba and his family attended Holy Family Catholic Church in South Bend. Word of his passing rippled through the parish during Sunday morning mass. "Basically, they just asked for prayers for his soul and his family to deal with this crisis," said fellow parishioner Teresa Turnock.

Michigan City's police department has a new four-legged member! On Sunday they posted the following to their Facebook page: Introducing Michigan City Police Department's newest K-9 addition to the team, Apollo Parry. Apollo will specialize in sniffing out Explosives (bombs & guns) and general patrol (suspect take-downs). Apollo's handler is Officer Greg Radiger who has experience in Safe Streets Team (SST) and Street Crimes Unit (SCU).   Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-City-Police-Department/139079239462310

One lucky dog has not only found a loving home, but also a noble purpose. Zoey is the latest addition to the South Bend Police Department K-9 division. The 2-year-old Sheperd mix was found abandoned, walking the streets. A local animal shelter took her in and that's where she caught the eye of a South Bend Police sergeant. Officers say her enthusiasm to play catch and hunt made her stand out from the rest. She'll start working as a drug dog in the spring. "Zoey isn't a narcotic dog that we got from a shelter, and we're going to kind of make do. She was born to be a detector dog that just so happened to be at an animal shelter," said Sergeant Brian Miller.

ELKHART - Tuesday was the official retirement day for one of the unsung heroes within the Elkhart Police department. The Board of Safety recognized the 7 years of service an officer has given to the city as he retires for health reasons. A gold watch doesn't interest this cop, but a good game of "fetch" might! In this case, the recent retiree is Neko, who is 9-years-old and has been a member of the Elkhart K-9 unit for seven years. During that time, he worked with his handler, Sergeant Jack Oldroyd, who has gotten to know Neko quite well.

A K-9 who assisted in the arrest of over 80 suspects while working with the Elkhart Police Department is headed for retirement. Neko is being retired this week because of his age and for health reasons, according to a department spokesperson. The 9-year-old dog will spend the rest of his days living as a family pet under the care of his handler, Sgt. Jack Oldroyd.   Neko was with the department for 7 years. “Neko was a dual purpose K-9; he worked patrol and narcotic detection.  He assisted in apprehending over 80 suspects,” according to a news release.

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A sheriff's K-9 in suburban Detroit has been fatally shot by its handler after the dog attacked him during a visit to a veterinarian. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement it's "an extremely sad situation on every front," noting the 5-year-old German Shepherd named Gunner was part of the handler's family. The department says the dog was taken to the veterinarian Thursday because it had started to exhibit "serious aggression.

An early-morning traffic stop turns into LaGrange Police K-9 tag team effort nabbing 32 pounds of pot. The marijuana has a street value between $25,000 and $30,000, according to a LaGrange City Police news release. Police stopped Plamen Mitev, 24, of Redford Township, Mich., on S.R. 9, south of C.R. 200 South, just  before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The LaGrange Police officer requested help from LaGrange County Sheriff's Department K-9 Kayla and her partner. K-9 Kayla's preliminary search indicated drugs were in the van Mitev was driving.

SOUTH BEND - At a rally in South Bend, supporters stood by their man, one day after Darryl Boykins, South Bend's Police Chief, resigned after allegations of wiretapping. "He was a great man, he is," said Viola Sims with the Kennedy Park Neighborhood Association. "He did a lot for this community. What happened to him is not right. " The city's top cop began his career as a patrolman in 1984. Throughout the 90's, Boykins was promoted to corporal and sergeant of the K-9 unit, and then served as a sergeant and lieutenant of the 1st detail.

Seized: Crack cocaine valued at $1,250 and cash totaling $1,730. Arrested: 27-year-old Taurean Travantei Young of Buchanan. Young faces five charges: Delivery of cocaine (second offense), fleeing/eluding police causing injury, resisting/obstructing, driving with a suspended license (second offense) and felony probation violation. Young was booked into the Berrien County Jail after he was treated for minor injuries and released from Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

MISHAWAKA - Investigators are now calling the fire at Francesco's Italian Restaurant on Lincoln Way suspicious. And while they haven't gone so far to say that this is for sure arson, they've brought in a special four-legged investigator to help solve the case. The fire started around 1:30 Monday morning and did a lot of damage. Investigators say the fire started on the main floor, near the bar area. They believe the fire is suspicious because when police first arrived on the scene they found the glass in the front door was broken and the door was open.

GROVERTOWN - Indiana State Police say a K-9 unit tracked a suspect trying to escape arrest for nearly half a mile Thursday morning. This happened just before 9 a.m. when a deputy with the Starke County Sheriff's Department spotted 40-year-old Jeff Knoebel of Grovertown - who was wanted for possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance - driving on U.S. 30. Police say he turned into the Grovertown truck stop, made...