Bringing in the dogs: Cuyahoga County sheriff addressing illegal drugs in jail

CLEVELAND – The FOX 8 I -Team learned the Cuyahoga County sheriff is adding eight more dogs to address one of the biggest problems in the county jail — illegal drugs.

The sheriff’s department had two dogs that were used to sniff out narcotics, but Sheriff Harold Pretel says more were needed. The jail houses about 1,400 inmates.

Pretel pointed out the county jail, like other jails across the nation, has had issues with illegal drugs getting inside the facility.

“We want to make sure at the Cuyahoga County jail we reduce that and we eliminate that,” Pretel said, “So will have these dogs at every entry point at the facility. Every individual entering the facility, from myself on down, will be screened by the K-9’s.”

The sheriff added the dogs will go home each night with their handler. The K-9s cost about $12,000 each.

The K-9s were recently purchased and started a six week training program.

Paul Shaughnessy, president and owner of Excel K-9, who is helping train the K-9s,  says the dogs will start working at the jail in about a month.

Lt. Joseph Kelley, of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, says the program is designed to keep employees and inmates safe.

“This will make a huge difference,” Kelley said. “It will definitely save lives.”

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