Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes a New K-9
The latest rookie officer at the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office is two and a half feet tall, weighs 100 pounds, has big ears, and will do just about anything for a Vienna sausage snack.
His name is Flash, and he is a 15-month-old bloodhound, donated to the department by a York, Pa. family that wanted a better life for the dog. Flash works with veteran Det. Michael Restuccia. The pair just graduated from the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Bloodhound Academy after three months of daily training.
Bloodhounds have an extraordinary sense of smell. Their noses have more scent receptors than the standard dog. Flash will be a “tracker” for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. His specialty is pursuing the scent of lost or missing persons, criminals and fugitives. Flash will also serve as a goodwill ambassador, attending community events and visiting local schools.
Flash will live in the home of Restuccia and his family, along with retired K-9 Matilda, and a dachshund named Stella.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
Welcome aboard Flash. We love you big guy!