The two newly-trained K9s join two other canine units already patrolling the city’s streets.
Who let the dogs out? The Plant City Police Department…because its newest canines, Dex and Odin, have completed a 480-hour training program offered by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and, along with their handlers, are patrolling the city’s streets to keep residents safe.
The new K-9’s are Odin, a German shepherd whose handler is Officer Quentin Garrell and Dex, a Belgian Malinois and German shepherd mix, whose handlers is Officer Michael Zaccaro, who’s been an officer for 14 years.
Dex is Zaccaro’s second K-9. His retired dog, Leto, who he got in 2015 and retired last year, lives in a kennel on his property.
In training, the dogs bonded with their handlers as they learned how to perform basic commands like “sitz” (German for sit) and “platz” (German for down) along with various situational responses, including tracking humans through smell, knowing how to respond when under fire and detecting narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroine.
“We started out by building a bond with the dog and learning basic obedience skills,” said Zaccaro. “The dog has to learn to do what you tell it to do so there’s a lot of knowledge that goes into training them.”
During the first day of training, Zaccaro noticed differences between Dex and Leto. “I could show Leto how to do something one time and he’d learn it,” he said. “Dex is more hard-headed and he was slower to learn but as an experienced handler I knew to be patient.”
Leto was also slower and methodical while Dex is quicker. Dex also had a stronger toy drive. He bit Zaccaro on the first training day. “It was an accident, he bit my hand because I had the toy in my hand and was a little too slow for him,” he said. “He likes to play a lot more and he’s quicker when you show him a toy, he’s also an excellent tracker.”
Pleasantly for Zaccaro, Dex is not as vocal. “When he’s riding with me in the car he doesn’t bark, Leto barked constantly for eight years, he was very protective of the car,” he said.
Unlike traditional police vehicles, Zacarro’s SUV has a padded backseat complete with water bowl and a heat alarm installed to monitor the vehicle’s interior temperature. Stuffed in the door’s pockets is a leash and a rubber ball so the officer can give the dog a pee and play break during downtime.
Zaccaro, Garrell and the two other canine units patrol all of Plant City’s streets. Being a canine officer means needing to use deductive reasoning to know when to use the dog and when to keep him in the car. “Prior to arriving at a scene you have to decide whether you’re going to take him out of the vehicle or not,” said Zaccaro.
After Zaccaro finishes his shift, he takes Dex home. After a long day riding in the car, he’s ready to get some much-needed time-off. “When we get home I park, open the door and he goes straight to his pen to lie down,” he said.
After a good night’s sleep, Dex and his handler are ready for another day on the job. “I’m confident in Dex,” said Zaccaro, who can’t imagine working in another department. “I love dogs and get so much enjoyment out of this, it’s is the best job here.”
