The Athens County Sheriff's Office has a new furry deputy in its ranks.
In the first meeting of the new year, the Athens County Commissioners approved a measure granting the department with insurance for its new K9 deputy.
“(The Athens County Sheriff’s Office) was asking about insurance about an additional K9 deputy ... making sure that it was going to be covered by the insurance,” Athens County Commissioners Clerk Julie Brooks said.
The action came nearly a year after a former K9 deputy, Ijo, was suspended for biting an inmate at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
“The Sheriff requested us to insure the canine. He’s commissioned the canine as a deputy and his handler,” commissioner Charles Adkins said. “We’re going to pick up insurance on the dog when he’s working here in the county.”
