Protesters call for Westmoreland DA to reopen probe into Derry police dog's death

A handful of Derry residents protested Wednesday in front of the county courthouse in Greensburg, demanding Westmoreland District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli reopen an investigation into the death of the borough’s police dog.

Protest organizer Yvonne Earhart claimed the district attorney’s probe into the August death of Smoke, a 4-year-old Malinois, was flawed and should be referred to another agency.

“I want charges filed against (borough police Chief) Randy Glick. It was abuse and neglect,” Earhart said of the circumstances that led to the dog being euthanized three days after it was injured.

Smoke was injured Aug. 25 in Glick’s backyard when the chief, who also was the dog’s handler, claimed the animal confronted one person aggressively, bit another and got into a fight with a family dog, borough officials said. Glick used a Taser on the family dog to stop the fight, solicitor Lee Demosky said, and, three days later, a veterinarian’s examination revealed serious injuries to Smoke, requiring that the dog be euthanized.

Ziccarelli announced last month investigators found no criminality in connection with the dog’s injuries and treatment. Melanie Jones, the district attorney office’s spokeswoman, on Wednesday declined to make additional comments about the probe.

Derry Councilman Al Checca accused investigators and borough officials of withholding information.

“This has all been a cover-up. They’ve had secret meetings, and the incident has drastic holes in it,” Checca alleged.

The borough continues to conduct a “civil investigation,” Demosky said.

“A lawyer from our office continues to investigate to make sure all the facts are reported to borough council, and we expect that to be concluded soon. We’re interviewing witnesses and reviewing records. There is also a review of personnel issues,” Demosky said.

Glick has been on leave from the department, and it is unclear when he will return to duty, Demosky said.

Derry council voted to disband the borough’s police dog program last month. Previous reports indicated it cost $4,500 to buy the dog from a breeder in Holland in 2020 and $5,000 to train it.