Jay, Middlebury’s new K9 officer, sits obediently next to a Middlebury police cruiser. (Submitted photo)
The Middlebury Police Department is introducing its newest member, K9 Jay. Jay was acquired approximately 5 weeks ago from a reputable supplier of police K9s and has been living with his handler, Officer Ed Demers, a veteran K9 officer. Jay has been receiving some basic training from Demers and is expected to undergo formal training at the State Police K9 Academy beginning in February 2015.
Demers said Jay has been coming along nicely. He has brought the dog to the police station several times to acclimate him with the personnel and the environment.
The department’s current K9, JJ, a yellow Labrador retriever, is set to retire in the near future after 10 years of service. Demers said JJ knows retirement is coming; on several occasions when he has left him home while he brought in Jay, the new K9, family members told him JJ “whined all day,” a sure sign of separation anxiety.
The community as a whole was extremely generous in aiding the department in the purchase of Jay. As of Nov. 6, 2014, the department has received more than $10,000, which will more than cover the cost of the K9 and anticipated equipment and some related training expenses.
Police Chief James Viadero, speaking on behalf of himself and the police department members, thanked the community for their generous donations. He said Jay will be an integral addition to the department. It is anticipated that he will graduate from the training academy in April and at some point thereafter be cross-trained in narcotics detection.
Viadero said it was great to see the enthusiasm and interest the fundraiser for a new dog generated. Numerous letters of thanks and praise were received from people who said the current K9, JJ, had impacted their life in some way during his career.
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