Pascha has been “off duty” for several months following first medical problems with his first partner, former Clarion County Deputy Sheriff Keith Hilborn and then following Hilborn’s dismissal from the department following his arrest for allegedly fraudulently obtaining prescription medications.

Hilborn’s case is working its way through the legal system.

Clarion County District Attorney Mark T. Aaron said Pascha has been boarded at Forest Kennels in Paint Township . Aaron said it is his understanding Forest Kennels agreed to care for the dog as a public service for the community.

Pascha will now partner with Knox Borough Police Officer Justin O’Neil.

O’Neil and Pascha will attend a three-week training course paid for by grant funds provided by the state attorney’s general office for the Clarion County Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce. The Knox Borough Police Department is a member of CNET.

There is no cost to Knox Borough for serving as the host law enforcement agency for Pascha.

“When Pascha is not working for CNET he is available for use as Knox Borough police see fit,” said Aaron. “Pascha is a tracking, patrol and drug detection dog, there’s a lot of things he’s trained to do.”

Aaron said he is pleased Knox Borough Council tentatively agreed March 3 to host Pascha.

“It’s nice to see Knox Borough Council and police step up to the plate and address this issue,” said Aaron. “They recognize and appreciate the drug issues CNET is trying to address.”

Knox Borough Police Chief Stephen Bilunka said he is developing written procedures for the use of Pascha.

“The dog can only be used when there is reasonable suspicion to use him,” said Bilunka. “We know there is dope moving through this town and having the dog here will help.”

Bilunka said an officer can detect the odor of burnt marijuana coming from a stopped vehicle.

“But an officer can’t smell heroin or cocaine,” said Bilunka. “Burnt marijuana and alcohol? Yes. But pills, heroin and cocaine? That’s where having Pascha will be very valuable.”

Pascha is a graduate of Rudy Drexler’s School for Dogs in Elkhart , Ind. Pascha is part of a dog training lineage which has spanned 42 years and more than 900 police dogs.

Dogs are often used for tracking individuals and illegal substances  because of their keen sense of smell. In the past, Hilborn explained a dog also provides an intimidation factor that a human doesn’t have.

Many also believed having a service animal close by was important for emergency response time.

Pascha cost approximately $13,000 including training fees, a special case and equipment. Many individuals and service organizations donated to bring Pascha to Clarion County . Pascha also does not cost the county anything, as food and medical care are donated.