Latrobe's lone police dog, Zeus, to retire as city opts to end K-9 program

Zeus’ crime-fighting days soon will be over.

Latrobe Council voted this week to retire the city police department’s sole police dog and to terminate its K-9 program.

City officials said the timing is right for both moves because the German shepherd is more than 8 years old and Latrobe’s police contract that includes a K-9 provision is set to expire at the end of the year.

“The average K-9 retirement age is between 8 and 10 years old,” said police Chief Richard Bosco, “(Zeus) has served diligently, and he has reached his life cycle for policing.”

Council authorized City Manager Terry Carcella to reach an agreement by Sept. 1 for the long-term care and custody of Zeus within the terms of the police contract. Handler Sgt. Robert Derk will be first in line to take care of Zeus during the dog’s retirement, if he chooses, said Carcella.

The city’s $40,000 K-9 fund will be applied toward Zeus’ continued care.

Latrobe may consider converting its K-9 vehicle that has been used for transporting Zeus for an alternate police use, Carcella said.

He said Latrobe may look to other nearby law enforcement agencies, including Westmoreland County police and Ligonier Valley police, if the city encounters incidents where it needs a police dog.

Mayor Eric Bartels acknowledged that many members of the public likely will be saddened by Zeus’ departure from the force and by program’s termination.

“It has been a positive program for us in terms of public relations,” Bartels said.

But, he said, the city has to adjust its policing priorities and related budgeting to match changing circumstances.

From the time he joined the force, in November 2017, through August 2018, Zeus was used more than 50 times and was credited with detecting more than $5,000 worth of narcotics and assisting with five apprehensions.

In contrast, from April 2023 through June 4, Zeus was used for just three police investigations and four public relations events, Bosco reported. He said the annual cost of operating the K-9 program is about $35,000.

“This is nothing against the K-9 and the handler,” said Bartels. “It’s just the nature of the program.”

Zeus succeeded Derk’s previous K-9 partner, Rocky, who developed an untreatable form of cancer and died after being retired from the force.

Zeus was purchased with the help of Mary Beth Eslary, in honor of her late husband, former Ligonier Township K-9 handler Lt. Eric Eslary, who died May 5, 2015, when his police vehicle was struck by a driver headed the wrong way on Route 30 in the township.