Dog being trained for police work in Fulton County

8/14/2002

The Fulton County Sheriff's Department is training a German shepherd named Dasty for searches, drug alerts, and officer protection.

Dasty, a 3-year-old male from Germany, will replace Yago, who was retired in February at about the age of 10, Sheriff Darrell Merillat said. Dasty is to start work with deputy John Trejo on Aug. 26, riding with him whenever Mr. Trejo is on patrol.

The department has borrowed a dog from Williams County for specific assignments since Yago's retirement. The department paid $8,500 for Dasty, using money that was seized from drug operations and other forfeited funds.

The department has budgeted $2,000 per year for his food and veterinary care, although Sheriff Merillat said he didn't expect to spend that much most years.

The sheriff's department has had about five dogs over the years. Wauseon Police Department got its first dog, a 1-year-old female named Ana, this year. It paid $5,500 for her and planned to spend more than $1,000 a year on her keep.