Meet Our K-9 Unit

Nero

K-9 Nero is paired with Deputy Bowen. Nero is a black German Shepherd bred in Slovakia and trained by Excel K-9 in Hiram, Ohio. He is trained in tracking, article searches, building searches, narcotics detection, apprehension, and more. Nero and Deputy Bowen patrol the City of Green.

Taro

K-9 Taro is paired with Deputy Gary. Taro is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, and was also bred in Slovakia and trained at Excel K-9 in Hiram, Ohio. Deputy Gary and Taro are assigned to the Summit County Drug Unit, where they conduct special assignments, patrol throughout the county, and assist other agencies with narcotics cases.

Marlo

K-9 Marlo is paired with Deputy Kemp. He is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix from Slovakia, and is trained in tracking, article search, building search, narcotics detection, apprehension, and more. Marlo and Deputy Kemp patrol and respond to calls countywide.

Judge

 K-9 Judge is paired with Deputy Monaco. Judge is a German Shepherd trained in explosives detection, apprehension, and tracking, and has won multiple medals in K-9 competitions across the nation. Judge came to us from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office after his handler was promoted. 

Bolt

K-9 Bolt is paried with Deputy Ruggles. He is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix who came from Excel K-9 in Hiram, Ohio. Bolt is trained in explosives detection and will assist the Bomb Squad.

Max

K-9 Max is the first in a new program rolled out in 2024 to have narcotics-detecting K-9s working within the Summit County Jail. With the statewide legalization of recreational cannabis, hundreds of K-9s across Ohio that were imprinted on cannabis had to be retired. However, these dogs can still be useful in preventing narcotics from enterin our jail. Our Jail K-9s add an extra layer of detection during the booking process, and will patrol the jail in search of illicit narcotics. 

Hero

K-9 Hero is the second narcotics-detecting dog to join our team at the jail as part of our new initiative. A German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, Hero will be working with handler Deputy Eslie Johnson.

Dottie

K-9 Dottie is making history as the Sheriff's Office's first rescue dog to be adopted and trained to be a K-9. She was adopted from Pawsitive Hope in North Canton by Captain Michelle Wiltrout and she is currently in training to become a narcotics-detecting K-9. She is on the forefront of a pioneering approach of adopting and training shelter dogs to become law enforcement K-9s. You can read more about Dottie in this profile from Akron Life Magazine.