Ross Township Police Canine Unit

The K-9 Unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The unit operates throughout the township and consists of two teams.

The police service dog teams are able to:

• track and find wanted criminals or missing persons in urban, rural or rugged wooded areas;
• search all types of buildings for criminals in hiding;
• search for evidence or property connected with a crime;
• search for illegal drugs that have been hidden;
• chase and apprehend criminals escaping arrest who may be armed and dangerous;
• act as a deterrent and back up in dangerous situations such as fights, riots and disturbances;
• provide high profile foot patrols of places such as schools, shopping complexes and parks.

The police dog teams are available to assist police departments in other jurisdictions when needed.

In March 1999, Officer Barrett requested to be relieved of his K-9 duties. K-9 Enno was allowed to retire early due to this.

K-9 Sari retired in June 2003 after working for 7 years and 10 months and enjoyed the final months of his life at home with his handler. He died on July 26, 2004 from Degenerative Myelopathy which is common in Shepherds and which has no cure. The spinal cord degenerates from the tail forward.

A new dog, K-9 Airus, a Belgian Malinois handled by Officer Matthew Grubb, began working in February 2004. The second dog should be replaced in the near future.