Five more universities around Ohio are receiving bomb-sniffing dogs as officials expand a state program that makes more of those canines available for safety needs on and off campuses.
The University of Toledo, Kent State University, Ohio University and Central State University are each getting a dog trained to detect explosives. Rex, the German Shepherd going to Cleveland State University, will receive extra training to be part of general patrol operations, according to Ohio Homeland Security.
Ohio’s public safety director has said the effort is intended to increase the availability of such dogs around the state, create a network of handlers who can support one another and improve campus safety. Some schools already have such dogs, which can respond if there are threats, be used for security sweeps and help law enforcement in their respective regions, if needed.
At Cleveland State, police Chief Craig Stone said the school had to rely on other agencies’ bomb dogs for preventative safety checks during past events, such as the recent Gay Games.
“Having our own bomb dog — that’s going to be huge,” Stone said, noting the possibility the canine could be put to use as Cleveland is scheduled to host the Republicans’ 2016 national convention ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Kent State police Chief John Peach said the dogs make officers more approachable but cost little extra for the departments, which provide and pay the handlers. Federal grant money and state Homeland Security funding covers thousands of dollars in expenses to buy, train, equip and care for the dogs.
Kent State already has one dog. The new addition, a Belgian Malinois named Dexter, will provide more flexibility and availability for a K-9 response when needed, Peach said.
At other schools, the new dogs will be the police departments’ only bomb-sniffing canines.
Youngstown State, Ohio State and Bowling Green State universities received bomb dogs through the pilot program over the summer.
Topics Ohio Education Universities
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