The Toledo police department has two new K-9's to search the streets for drugs. These new officers have been on the beat for the three months. Tanko is a year and a half old and so is Wespe. They're both German shepherds. Wespe's handler says she's more than a partner she's family.
"The dogs are with us here at work all the time and they're also with us at home all the time so we are actually with the dogs more than we are with our family," said Toledo police detective Brian Gaylord.
The K-9 team is trained to search for hidden drugs. We put Wespe to the test. Police put cocaine in this metal container and hid it in this car. Wespe sniffed the entire car. It didn't take her long to find it
"They smell differently than we do. Lets say when we walk into a McDonald's we smell McDonald's. When they walk into McDonald's they smell the buns the pickles the mustard the ketchup. They can actually separate all those odors," said Detective Gaylord.
Wespe and Tanko are called aggressive indicators. When they get a hit they stop, dig and scratch. Other K-9 dogs will sit to alert their partner.
They're rewarded when they do a good job. The dogs also visit schools to help educate the youth about the dangers of drugs and they get a quick lesson on police work.
"A lot of times the only times kids will have any contact with the police is when mom and dad are getting a traffic citation or in case they are at the home for domestic violence so it's a different aspect how they see us with the drugs," said Toledo police detective John Greenwood.
TPD is exploring adding more K-9 units to the force for tracking and building searches. Wespe and Tanko's handlers say there's not day their partners don't want to go work.
"They start to learn very quickly when you're grabbing your gun, when they start to hear the keys they know they are getting ready to come to work and they are right there at the back door," said detective Greenwood.
TPD had two other police dogs but they just recently retired because of health problems.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:51:06 GMT
Three brothers from Morceni disappeared more than 2 and a half years ago. Tonight their case is getting national attention on a new John Walsh show. Alexander, Andrew and Tanner Skelton's story will
Three brothers from Morceni disappeared more than 2 and a half years ago. Now their case is getting national attention on a new John Walsh show. Alexander, Andrew and Tanner Skelton's story will be part of a new series call John Walsh Investigates. The episode airs Wednesday night at nine.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:33 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:33:49 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:03 GMT
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling off in the water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:25 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:25:11 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Toledo. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. Dispatchers tell us heavy flames are showing.
Toledo firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire in Toledo late Tuesday night. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:51:06 GMT
Three brothers from Morceni disappeared more than 2 and a half years ago. Tonight their case is getting national attention on a new John Walsh show. Alexander, Andrew and Tanner Skelton's story will
Three brothers from Morceni disappeared more than 2 and a half years ago. Now their case is getting national attention on a new John Walsh show. Alexander, Andrew and Tanner Skelton's story will be part of a new series call John Walsh Investigates. The episode airs Wednesday night at nine.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:39 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:39:48 GMT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State University is proposing to charge juniors and seniors more than other undergraduate students. Trustees on Friday will consider raising tuition by 3.6 percent
Michigan State University is proposing to charge juniors and seniors more than other undergraduate students. Trustees on Friday will consider raising tuition by 3.6 percent for juniors and seniors but only 1.9 percent for freshmen and sophomores.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:33 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:33:49 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:03 GMT
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling off in the water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:51:49 GMT
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield. Officers tell 13abc a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers someone shot
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:39:16 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
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