The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Future K-9 officer visits with officials
The highlight of the Jan. 10 Perry Village Council meeting didn’t arise from the passage of key legislation or a spirited debate among council members.
Instead, it was a visit from a dog that stirred up the most excitement among council members and other village leaders.
After all, the canine that made an appearance is the future K-9 officer for the Perry Village Police Department.
Zeke, a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd, dropped by the meeting along with village Police Lt. Michael Collins. Once Zeke completes training and is formally inducted into the Police Department, he and Collins will became patrol partners.
The pair arrived at the council meeting shortly after the event started and stayed for about 10 minutes. Zeke spent most of his time soaking up attention from admirers, sniffing around the meeting room and posing for pictures with Collins.
Zeke is the successor to K-9 Officer Zack, who died Oct. 31 after serving the village Police Department for 1 ½ years. Zack also worked alongside Collins.
A 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, K-9 Zack passed away unexpectedly after exercising with the lieutenant in a village park. A necropsy, or animal autopsy, did not reveal an apparent cause of death.
K-9 Officer Zack, during his tenure with Perry Village police, working daily shifts with Collins, assisted on calls with other area police departments, and appeared at many community events.
Before Zeke goes on duty with the village Police Department, he will undergo K-9 training conducted by Master Trainer Mark Allen of Northeast Patrol Dogs in Jefferson.
Although Allen had yet to set up a training schedule for Zeke, Police Chief Troy Hager said the program will last “probably 4 to 6 weeks in the mornings, hopefully starting soon.”
Allen, who also prepared Zack to serve as a K-9 officer, provided Zeke to Perry Village at no cost. Allen also will conduct initial training for Zeke free of charge.