K-9 On Duty
Officer Zach Pritchard is getting a new partner at the Middletown Police Department, but he might be a little hairier than expected. Onyx, a 3-year-old German shepherd, joined Pritchard this year as he performs his regular duties around the area.
Onyx will be trained in tracking, narcotics and apprehension, providing a valuable resource to Pritchard and the rest of the department moving forward.
“Onyx definitely gives the community another avenue for protection,” Pritchard says. “It helps our officers to have another tool we can use to locate suspects. Instead of sending a police officer into a wooded area to look for a suspect, we now have Onyx to assist us in doing that. As far as narcotics detection, dogs have a much higher sense of smell than we do. It’s a huge benefit, and we can assist in other communities as well.”
Onyx came to Middletown from Tarheel Canine Training in North Carolina, a renowned facility for working police dogs. There, Onyx started his initial training and showed a great deal of drive, which impressed Pritchard and led to his selection.
After arriving in Middletown, Onyx continued working at the Louisville Metro patrol school to become proficient in issues police officers handle on a regular basis. Pritchard was right by Onyx’s side for the 16-week course, which lasted 10 hours a day, four days a week.
“You need to have a bond with the dog,” Pritchard says. “Before he could even come home, we needed him to obey me. In the morning, I feed him and get him loaded up in the car. His time at home, you want it to be his downtime because we put these dogs through so much rigorous work and training. You want their time at home to be their time to relax.”
Middletown has not had a K-9 program in the past, but it did have an officer who joined the department and brought his now-retired dog with him. That led to Pritchard speaking with his superiors about getting another dog, something that had always interested him. He hopes by adding Onyx into the mix, more officers will sign up to have a four-legged partner of their own.
“I have done a lot of training in the past with K-9s, and it’s a passion I’ve always had,” Pritchard says. “When we outfitted a vehicle for a K-9, I saw there was some interest in that at Middletown. I had never approached the idea because I wasn’t sure how it would go over. I told them it was something I was interested in, and the chief approved. We started with Onyx, and I assume as Middletown grows, it’ll be something they look more into.”
Onyx now lives Middletown Police Introduce Trained Patrol Dog to Support Officers & Community with Pritchard and is well taken care of, with his own insulated area of the house. Onyx will join Pritchard on his regular beat, and the two have already gotten into a routine for how they start their day.
“When I’m leaving for work, he will get in the car with me,” Pritchard says. “It’s really important when you’re training dogs that you get into a ritual. When I come into the garage with the collar, he knows we’re getting in the car and going to do something. He will get into a rhythm and know what we’re doing.”
Pritchard says Onyx has also provided a sense of companionship while out on his normal patrol.
“Essentially, he will be my partner,” Pritchard says. “Sometimes driving around in a cop car by yourself can get a little lonely and boring. It’s nice to have something to talk to, even if he won’t talk back. I’ve caught myself several times talking to him, and I catch him in the mirror looking at me. It’s nice to have him around.”
Most trained police dogs serve with their departments for eight to nine years before retiring and living a more domesticated life, meaning Middletown will definitely feel Onyx’s presence.
“Every dog is different,” Pritchard says. “It depends on how much work they do and how little work they do. If the dog doesn’t get a lot of work, their muscles and bones could get arthritis. Too much use can also hinder a dog. A dog really starts hitting their stride when it’s 5 to 6 years old. Then you’re looking at 3 to 4 years after that. He’s three now, so I’d love to get six to seven years out of him.”
While Onyx isn’t necessarily like other dogs people may see out in the community, Pritchard says his presence on the streets should not alarm anyone.
“If I get him out of the car, it’s because we’re going to work,” Pritchard says. “If you say hello, he will most likely look at you and be on his way. He doesn’t bark at people. He’s very chill and won’t lose his mind when people walk by. He’s a good dog. He has a job to do, and he knows what that job is.”
Pritchard has high hopes for Onyx and thinks he will be a great addition to the department.
“I would love for him to be a great asset for the department and community,” Pritchard says. “This will be my first time handling a patrol dog, so I don’t know what all to expect, but I’m excited for the opportunity, and I think he’s going to do great things.”
For more information on the Middletown Police Department, check out middletownky.gov/Departments/1/police-department.
