Ohio District Adds Drug-Sniffing Dog to Patrol Schools
Lebanon City Schools and local law enforcement have collaborated to acquire a drug-sniffing police dog to patrol schools.
- By Jessica Davis
- April 29, 2019
Lebanon City Schools has collaborated with local law enforcement to acquire a drug-detection K-9, according to a district press release.
The drug-sniffing dog, whose name is Max, was acquired through a $30,000 state grant. Superintendent Todd Yohey sought out the grant funding to pay for the hiring of Max as well as the purchase of radios for the district’s schools.
The district paid for the dog as well as his training. The police department “accepts ownership, care and additional training” of Max. The police department also converted a patrol car for the K-9 unit.
“I saw the safety grant as a way to deter students from bringing illegal drugs and substances onto school grounds,” Yohey said. “We want parents to know that we are looking out for the well-being of their children and trying to dissuade their participation in activities that may harm them.”
Max is trained to “take down an intruder upon command,” Yohey said, providing a further security measure for district staff and students.
Max, who is a German Shepard/Malinois mix, has completed training with Lebanon Police Officer Eric Holmes. Holmes and Max are slated to patrol the district’s junior high and high schools.
“The SRO and canine partnerships with the Lebanon Police Department and City of Lebanon have significantly increased our school security,” Yohey said. “Having a drug dog at school may not stop students from participating in drug use, but should help us keep drugs off of our school campuses. It would be foolish for a student or anyone else to bring drugs onto our campuses knowing that a drug dog is on duty.”
About the Author
Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.