Earlier this month, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Local 339 member Tom Paglione and his K-9 partner Indy took home one of the top spots at the U.S. Police Canine Association scent detection trials.
The pair traveled to Valdosta, Georgia to compete against 59 narcotics detector K9s from various law enforcement agencies from around the country.
The competition consisted of searching three rooms containing two narcotic hides with a 10-minute time limit. In addition, there were also five cars containing two narcotic hides, also with a 10-minute time limit. During the national competition, Paglione and Indy scored 196.67 out of 200 points, placing them seventh overall.
Before making the trip, Paglione and Indy had to qualify by passing a regional scent trial in March.
This is the first national competition that OIC Paglione and K9 Indy have competed in, and both represented the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and PBA 339 with great distinction.
