Derry to consider 2-year pause before revisiting future of disbanded K-9 program

Derry council is expected to consider a two-year moratorium on any revival of the borough’s police dog program, which was disbanded in October following the August euthanization of its police dog, Smoke.

In addition to the moratorium, council Tuesday will consider allowing a privately funded memorial stone for Smoke at Derry Community Park. Council members also might decide to donate about $3,300 in remaining police dog program funds to the nearby Action for Animals shelter in Derry Township.

Meanwhile, public outcry continues over the circumstances surrounding Smoke’s death. Township resident Yvonne Earhart spoke at this week’s council session, demanding police Chief Randy Glick, who was Smoke’s handler, be “held accountable” in the incident, while charging that Mayor Grant Nicely “totally failed” at overseeing the program.

Efforts to reach Glick for comment were unsuccessful.

Following its investigation, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office announced evidence does not support a criminal charge in Smoke’s death.

Smoke was injured Aug. 25 in Glick’s backyard, when he confronted one person aggressively, bit another and got into a fight with a family dog, according to a statement by borough solicitor Lee Demosky.

Glick ultimately used a Taser on the family dog to stop the fight, Demosky said. Three days later, a veterinarian’s examination revealed serious injuries to the dog. Demosky said officials discussed surgery but were told by the vet euthanization was the “most humane” option.

“After seeing what happened, the borough is nowhere near ready to have anything to do with a K-9 program,” said newly elected Councilman Jasen Lentz, who heads the borough’s police committee. He suggested that, during the proposed moratorium, the borough “work on crafting the policies and procedures and everything else that needs to be in place so that something like this never, ever happens again.”

Lentz was among those at council’s Oct. 10 meeting who questioned how Smoke had been handled. At that point, he’d called for the resignations of several borough officials, including Glick and Nicely.

Earhart claimed this week that Smoke was an “alpha male” and should not have been housed with other dogs at Glick’s home.

“Smoke did not ask for this life,” she said. “This is what was handed to him. He was failed from the beginning by being put in that environment.”

Earhart made the request to have a memorial for Smoke placed at the park.

“This would at least show you, as a borough, did care about Smoke and regret the outcome that has happened to him,” she told council.

Nicely said he was aware of the provisions that were made for Smoke at Glick’s home, saying, “The dog was kept in a separate section of the house. He had his own room, his own entrance, his own exercise time and area.”

Nicely said the Aug. 25 incident “was an accident. There is no fault.”

Regarding the immediate future of the Derry K-9 program, Nicely said, “A two-year moratorium is not going to be a problem. I don’t have any member of this police department who wants to touch a K-9 at this point.”

The department received Smoke, a Malinois pup from Holland, in 2020. At the time, the borough said the dog would cost $4,500 and require about $5,000 in additional training.

Derry officials have not confirmed a report that Glick was injured in the Aug. 25 incident. Nicely said Monday that Glick remained on an extended medical leave. He earns a little more than $56,200 per year, according to borough secretary Lori Latta.

Sgt. Doug Sam has served as the Derry department’s acting chief since Aug. 28.

Police contract talks underway

Following council’s work session, Sam said a Feb. 1 negotiating session with borough representatives concerning a new police contract was “somewhat productive. I think we’re close now.”

He said the parties are discussing a new three-year contract that would cover his full-time position and four part-time officers. The officers have been working under the terms of a previous agreement that expired in July.

The borough has a separate contract with Glick.