New team member at the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A new face has joined the team at the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.

Jango is a Belgian Malinois who will work as a drug detection dog as well as a performing article searches, tracking, and helping on patrol. Deputy Dustin Prouty said Jango is full of energy and training hard for his state certification.

“It’s very high energy,” said Deputy Prouty. “There’s a lot of dog there, a lot of drive with him. When he gets his toys out he’s a totally different dog than when he just pops out of the cruiser and doesn’t have a toy.”

Deputy Prouty said that Jango does spend a lot of his time working, but he also gets time to be a regular dog. He said that once training for the day is finished Jango has the chance to run around in the yard, sniff things he may not be allowed to while working, and enjoy just being a dog. As for working on a day to day basis, Deputy Prouty said their relationship is really a friendship.

“It’s a friendship, it definitely is,” said Deputy Prouty. “You figure out what his weaknesses are and he figures out what your weaknesses are, for sure.”

Sheriff Matt Lutz said the K-9 dogs are a crucial part of their operations but that buying and training the dogs is an expensive process. He said that they always appreciate donations for the K-9 dogs and if interested in donating you can contact the Sheriff’s office.