Two new K9s join the force in Trumbull County at no taxpayer cost

Two new deputies are joining the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, but these members of law enforcement walk on four legs.

K9s Rex and Rico graduated from training on Tuesday.

Trumbull County Sheriff Michael Wilson said these elite dogs will go far to help deputies crack down on crime.

"We're super excited, because this is a great tool to have in Trumbull County," Wilson said, "It's going to be a big tool to help us find illicit drugs."

Both K9s are officially certified to protect and serve the county after completing six weeks of rigorous training through Alpha Pack K9 Training Center in New Middletown.

Both are trained to sniff out narcotics and track people.

Rex is certified in suspect apprehension, and both will also help de-escalate high-risk situations,  just by showing up.

"Just bringing a dog to a call, depending on what it is, can change the whole scene," Deputy James Lewis, handler of Rico, said, "Sometimes it might change the mindset of somebody arguing or fighting with us to just being compliant at that time."

Deputy Lewis and Nelson spent weeks bonding alongside their K9 partners.

"It means everything," Deputy Nelson, handler of Rex, said, "It's something I've always wanted to do, canine handling. He's a great dog."

Nelson said Rex, who came from a rescue in Florida, was just one day from being euthanized before he got to Ohio.

"Now he came here, got his training, and now he has a job," Nelson said. 

Tainers and owners of Alpha Pack K9 Training Center, Jennifer and TJ Dobbons, said not every dog makes the cut, but these two showed they had what it takes.

"There are specific drives and traits that the dog does have to possess in order to actually do this job," Jennifer Dobbins said, "It's pretty hard."

The Dobbins said they've rescued over 400 dogs, and about 15 of them have been able to be police canines. 

The dogs are valued at $50,000 and were donated by the Dobbins of Alpha Pack, so there is no cost to taxpayers. 

"You can't even put a price on the investment," Trumbull County Sheriff Wilson said, "What these dogs are able to do as far as apprehensions and locating narcotics, taking drugs off the street and catching the criminals...you just can't put a price on it."

Wilson said there are now three total K9s working for the Trumbull County Sheriff's office.

He said they'll make the dogs available to anyone who needs help.

"It's important to know that our dogs are available. We'll make them available to anyone who needs them. If you need a canine sniff or a track, call us and we'll do what we can to get everybody out to help complete that mission," Wilson added, "I'm so very proud of our guys that completed this training, and I want to express my greatest gratitude to TJ Dobbins and Jen Dobbins for donating these dogs and facilitating all the paperwork and connections that we were able to establish to have zero cost to Trumbull County."

There are now three total k9's working for the Trumbull County Sheriff's office. Sheriff Wilson says they'll make the dogs available to anyone who needs help.