K-9 officer Cain off to fast start, Council told

Saturday, December 10, 2016
Making a guest appearance at the December City Council meeting Thursday night, the city’s new K-9 officer, Cain, is accompanied by Officer/GPD handler Kyle Lee and Police Chief Tom Sutherlin (at podium).
Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

Greencastle’s newest police officer -- the 90-pound, four-legged German Shepherd Cain -- is already taking a bite out of crime, the City Council learned Thursday night.

Cain accompanied GPD Officer/K-9 handler Kyle Lee and Police Chief Tom Sutherlin to the podium at the front of City Hall to introduce the K-9 officer to the Council and those in attendance at the December monthly meeting

Making like McGruff the Crime Dog despite his young career, Cain has already taken part in five confirmed narcotics busts, Lee told the Council. Yet he and Cain only started training together in August.

Already holding certifications in tracking and narcotics, Cain has proved quite able. The dog was certified for apprehensions on Monday, Lee added, making his K-9 partner completely certified.

“Every time Kyle comes to work, the dog comes with him,” Chief Sutherlin said, reminding the Council that changes in the employee handbook were made to account for required compensation for Lee for the care of Cain. Lee will be allowed to start work 30 minutes later or leave his shift 30 minutes earlier to compensate for the time tending to the animal.

The Council asked Lee how long Cain can be expected to be in service for GPD.

“Ten or 11 years is standard for a law-enforcement dog,” the officer said.

Cain will turn four years old at the beginning of 2017. His mother, meanwhile, is still alive and quite active, Lee said, at age 14.

Meanwhile, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., Cain will receive a bullet and stab protective vest.

Cain’s vest has been 100 percent funded and sponsored by an anonymous donor. Delivery is expected sometime after the first of the year.

Lee’s police vehicle has been modified to include a cage in the backseat and K-9 decals.

Acquisition of the K-9 officer and necessary paraphernalia totaled a one-time cost of $7,900, essentially all coming through community donations and fundraisers.

Cain is a Reelsville-raised German Shepherd and has been trained and certified by John Holcomb at facilities in Parke County. Holcomb has also trained the K-9s for the Cloverdale and Roachdale police departments among others in Indiana.

Chief Sutherlin has noted that the K-9 will be available to assist in tracking lost children, criminals, dementia patients and more but will not be used for drug interdiction on the interstate unless called in because no other dogs are available.

Thursday night Cain never barked and barely stirred during his brief appearance in the City Hall spotlight.

“Thank you both,” Council President Adam Cohen said to Sutherlin and Lee, “and Kyle especially.”

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