McKean County welcomed their newest law enforcement agents – K9s Rigby and Duke. They are pictured with their handlers: Officer Dakota Eaton and Sgt. Seth Shephard. Officer Eaton was named by the McKean County Drug Task Force as its newest narcotic K9 handler and Sgt. Seth Shephard was named as Bradford City’s K9 handler. Both Rigby and Duke are approximately 1 ½ years old and both are German Shepherds. Rigby is trained in narcotics detection and Duke is dual-trained in narcotics and patrol. Both officers are employed full-time with Bradford City.
Both K9s continue with their training. Sgt. Shephard and Duke train at Shallow Creek Kennels, a facility that trains dogs for law enforcement agencies all over the country and the FBI. Officer Eaton and Rigby train with Bob Rinfrette who trains dogs from all over the country and actively works as a handler with drug detecting K9 “LG” and explosives detecting K9 “Nico.” For Bradford City, the addition of Duke is the first time in 40 years the department has had a K9 on the force – a welcome addition.
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District Attorney Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer agreed. “The addition of two K9s is a huge step forward for our area. Rigby is trained in narcotics detection and Duke is dual-trained in narcotics and patrol. The joint effort of the City and the DA’s Office as well as private individuals has made this goal a reality. I know Sgt. Shephard has undergone extensive training with Duke and his experience as an officer will be transferred to his handling of Duke in the field. His experience made him an ideal candidate as the City’s K9 handler. Chief Detective Ryan Yingling, who is the head of the Drug Task Force, had already selected Officer Eaton to join the drug task force when the opportunity presented itself to add to the complement of K9s working under the County Detectives’ Bureau, which also includes tracking dogs. Naming Officer Eaton as the handler for the Drug Task Force’s newest K9 was an obvious choice. Both officers are employed full-time with Bradford City and I see them and their K9s working together for the benefit of the City as well as McKean County.”
One step in law enforcement’s ongoing efforts is awareness and prevention. In addition to their work in the field, the dogs will appear at public events where they will interact with the public.
The District Attorney’s Anti-Drug Campaign directed at children to “Say No to Drugs” includes appearances by K9s at schools and events. Duke and Rigby will join Drug Task Force K9 “LG” at these events as part of the campaign. The dogs are a way to remind children to stay away from drugs along with a message that police officers are their friends. The campaign is designed for the children to interact with the officers and hear the message that drugs are bad for them.
For Bradford City, the addition of Duke is the first time in 40 years the department has had a K9 on the force – a welcome addition.
Shaffer and McDonald, along with Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling and Bradford City Chief of Police Michael Ward, thank Sgt. Shephard and Office Eaton for committing to these new roles. Their dedication to the K9 programs allows the addition of the K9s to be possible.
Both K9s continue with their training.
Sgt. Shephard and Duke train at Shallow Creek Kennels, a facility that trains dogs for law enforcement agencies all over the country and the FBI. Officer Eaton and Rigby train with Bob Rinfrette who trains dogs from all over the country and actively works as a handler with drug detecting K9 “LG” and explosives detecting K9 “Nico.”
Pro tip keep cayenne pepper in your car and nearby in home .. if you have drugs in your car and they bring k9 dump it outside the car or on your floors .. it will get in dogs nose and they can’t smell ..also sprinkle it around your house outside if they are walking the dogs sniffing round town
This is what’s wrong with the world !!! pro tip just don’t do drugs and stop selling them to the children !!!! Another pro tip stop being a scumbag
I love it. Screw those dogs.
Are you kidding me!! How on earth can WESB allow the post from Helping neighbor. This individual’s post will assist in concealing drugs and drug paraphernalia. So let’s think about this for a moment. If Oleoresin Capsicum(OC) does prohibit the detection of drugs and someone uses these tactics after reading the post from “Helping Neighbor” and God forbid someone overdoses who is responsible? SHAMEFUL
Hey John boy, last I checked, cayenne pepper is completely legal, and some people still appreciate having liberties in this country. You’re assuming every person who uses drugs is dealing them. Get a life and focus on yourself for a change, instead of trying to tell other people how to live their lives. SHAMEFUL