BATESVILLE, IN –Batesville City Council was introduced Monday night to the newest police department officer – a K9 named Zäh.
The 1-year-old Dutch German Shepherd was born in Hungary and comes to BPD from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana.
Police Chief Stan Holt said the Batesville Police Department started the K9 program 13 years ago in an effort to tackle drug issues in the community.
He added the department held a fundraiser and there were so many citizen donations that the department was able to fund the program and have enough money left over to purchase a second K9 when the time came along.
“A big part of this is tackling the drug issues,” said Holt. “Another part of it is the community policing, building those working relationships with our community, getting out at the events, getting out at the schools, and just engaging with our citizens. ”
Holt says Zäh’s human partner, Officer Trevor Comer, recently went through 160 hours of K9 handling instruction.
Zäh was fully trained in narcotics detection and tracking by the time he reported for duty.
“He’s ready to go! They’ve been through their training and finished up two or three weeks ago, and so they’re out on the streets patrolling,” Holt said.
Zäh replaces K9 Officer Jinx, who passed away last fall
Jinx had been with the department since 2012.
