Donation to help Weirton, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department K-9 divisions
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Craig Howell
Hancock K-9 -- The Hancock County Sheriff's Department was among West Virginia law enforcement agencies to receive a Dogtra tracking collar for use by its K-9 division. The donation was made possible through a donation from Little Caesars Pizza. On hand for the donation were, from left, are Deputy First Class Hugh Tate, Sheriff Scott Gittings, Deputy First Class Pat Hodor, Little Caesars Northeast Franchise Marketing Manager Greg Zearfoss, Sgt. Scott Little and Deputy First Class Dante Dijirolanio.
Craig Howell
Weirton K-9 -- The Weirton Police Department Friday received a Dogtra tracking collar for use by its K-9 division, through a donation from Little Caesars. Accepting the donation were, from left, are Patrolman Reese Thompson; Sgt. Troy Bickers; Sgt. Ryan Kuzma; Greg Zearfoss, Little Caesars northern franchise marketing manager; Sgt. Matt Lelless; and Deputy Chief Scott Cook.
WEIRTON -- Two local law enforcement departments have a new tool at their disposal after receiving a contribution from a national pizza chain.
Greg Zearfoss, northeast franchise marketing manager for Little Caesars was in the Northern Panhandle Friday, presenting the Weirton Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff's Department with new Dogtra Pathfinder TRX tracking collars for use by their departments' K-9 divisions.
Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings explained the collar can be placed on one of the department's K-9s when tracking a suspect. It can be especially beneficial if the K-9 and officer are separated in a wooded area.
"If the dog gets away from them, it will help find them," Gittings noted.
Zearfoss explained the trackers can be used with a smartphone app, and have a 9-mile range.
Weirton officials noted, while the city doesn't have as much wooded area as the county, the tracking unit will still be beneficial.
"It helps out a lot," Weirton Deputy Chief Scott Cook said.
Zearfoss explained the collars, which have been distributed to police departments throughout West Virginia, were made possible through donations taken at 57 Little Caesars stores across the state.
"We're always giving back to the community in various ways," Zearfoss said.
The work to assist West Virginia's law enforcement started two years ago, with the raising of $10,000 to purchase first aid kits for several K-9 divisions. This year, Mountain State franchisees decided to go bigger and better, Zearfoss said.
"I think this is the least we can do," he said. "We're really pleased."