Retired Masontown K-9 dies
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Brony, a retired K-9 used by Masontown police, has died. The 11-year-old German shepherd had dual training in patrol and narcotics.
蘑菇视频
Brony, a retired K-9 used by Masontown police, has died. The 11-year-old German shepherd had dual training in patrol and narcotics. Brony is pictured in this 2014 file photo with his handler, Officer Mike Yeager.
Brony, Masontown Borough Police Department蘑菇视频 recently retired K-9, died in his handler蘑菇视频 home Monday after about eight years serving the borough.
He was 11 and died of natural causes, said Police Chief Joe Ryan. His replacement, an 8-year-old German shepherd, began his K-9 work in January after Brony蘑菇视频 retirement in December.
Mike Yeager, who was Brony蘑菇视频 handler, continues as the K-9 handler.
The K-9 program is funded entirely by donations, Ryan said.
鈥淏rony assisted us on drug calls, building searches, tracking, and he蘑菇视频 assisted several departments over the years,鈥� Ryan said.
He proved his worth to the department almost immediately when the K-9 unit was called to capture a burglary suspect who fled from the West Virginia state line after threatening a victim with a gun.
The man jumped from a moving truck and fled into the woods, where Brony located the suspect.
Simply having an active K-9 unit is a deterrent for drug traffickers passing through the town, Ryan said.
Brony, like his replacement, had dual training in patrol and narcotics.
This involves tracking, apprehension and article searches.
The K-9 can apprehend a suspect or find a missing person based on smell, detect drugs or find evidence a suspect throws from a vehicle.
These searches save officers a significant time.
Brony was also a friendly face in the community.
鈥淢ike and Brony, over the years, have done community events in schools and churches,鈥� Ryan said.
Because the K-9 unit is funded by donations, no tax dollars are used. Those donations go toward food, veterinary care, equipment and maintenance of the K-9 vehicle.