The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department’s has a new addition to its force who is certified in narcotics detection, tracking and criminal apprehension.
K-9 Vampir (pronounced: Vam-peer), a 19-month-old German shepherd who was born in central Europe, was selected by the sheriff’s department Aug. 1.
Vampir and his handler Sgt. Allen Ritchie started six weeks of K-9 basic narcotics and utility training Aug. 8 at the FMK9 training center in Elkhart, which continued until graduation Sept. 16.
Narcotics that Vampir can detect include marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
“The sheriff’s department is very excited about the addition of Vampir and look forward to the benefits he will bring to the sheriff’s department and the citizens of Jennings County,” said Lt. Mike Mowery, public information officer for the sheriff’s department.
