LEBANON — Six months after Officer Mark Allen lost his 7-year-old partner, a Belgian Malinois named Robie, to cancer, the police force is getting back into the canine business.

Robie

        Using money from recent drug seizures, city police have begun a search for a new dog — this time a German shepherd — and hopes to have the canine in training by mid-October.

        Officer Allen, a seven-year veteran of the force and former military policeman, said he misses having a dog.

        “My primary reason for changing to a shepherd is that when I look back, I don't want to see Robie. A lot of the Belgians look alike. I really enjoyed working with Robie. He was a great dog.”

        Lebanon's newest member will likely come from a kennel outside Raleigh, N.C., that specializes in breeding and training police dogs, Officer Allen said.

Lebanon Police Officer Mark Allen holds a memorial plaque dedicated to his canine partner, Robie, who died of cancer six months ago. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        The dog and training are expected to cost $5,000 to $10,000.

        When Officer Allen makes his selection, the canine will live with him and his family in Montgomery County. And if the dog is like Robie, it also will dou ble during off-duty hours as a playmate to Officer Allen's two children.

        While police dogs have some training when they arrive — they begin working at age 2 — Lebanon's new canine and Officer Allen are expected to undergo a 14-week course in obedience, drug detection, building searches and tracking.

        After that, the two will work the streets together, making Lebanon one of three Warren County de partments to employ canine units.

        Since Robie's death April 2, city police occasionally have borrowed a canine unit from Blue Ash, because its handler lives in Lebanon, Chief Ken Burns said.

        When Lebanon's dog is ready for work, he plans to lend it out as well.

        “It's a resource that you're willing to share,” Chief Burns said.

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