The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has deployed a new explosive detection canine to assist with keeping the community safe, officials said.
K9 Zack was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024, in Europe, Lake County Sheriff Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said, before travelling to the United States to continue his development at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.
Covelli said Zack was then partnered with Lake County Sheriff Deputy Trish List, and the two completed five weeks of intensive training at Shallow Creek. He said Shallow Creek is one the nation’s leading police canine training facilities.
Covelli said Zack will be a working canine in Lake County and help to keep the community safe by sweeping schools and public buildings to ensure they are free of explosives or firearms, checking community events and gatherings for potential threats before families arrive, conduct security sweeps of county courthouses and government complexes, assisting area police departments whenever specialized explosive detection is needed and supporting major investigations by locating firearms, explosives, and related evidence.
“K9 Zack, partnered with Deputy Trish List, brings an extra layer of safety and peace of mind to our community,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said. “His explosive detection skills will be used to protect schools, public buildings, and community events, and he’ll be ready to assist our local law enforcement partners whenever needed.
“Just as important, having K9 Zack on our team serves as a strong deterrent, showing our commitment to creating the safest possible environment for the people of Lake County,” Idleburg added.
“From the moment I met K9 Zack on the first day of training, I immediately knew he was the right dog to be partnered with,” Deputy List said. “K9 Zack is energetic, enthusiastic, and already loves going to work. We are looking forward to a long career of working with the Lake County community!”
The Lake County Sheriff’s K9 Unit, currently staffed with ten K9 teams, continues to be a critical resource for the region, assisting in searches, investigations, and community safety efforts.
With K9 Zack now on the team, the Sheriff’s Office has an even greater capability to ensure Lake County remains a safe place to live, work, and visit, Covelli said.