'Ice' Joins Syracuse P.D.
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - In the movie "Top Gun," Val Kilmer played a Navy pilot named Ice.
In the town of Syracuse, Officer Dallas Owens works with a K-9 called Ice, named after Kilmer's character.
"He's basically like a big puppy. He definitely knows when to go to work though," Owens said.
Police Chief Bill Endler said the department investigated a K-9 program for some time. Letters were sent to businesses and individuals who responded with donations for the purchase of the German shepherd.
"We went to several kennels looking," Endler said.
The Edelheim Police K-9 Academy in Bunker Hill was determined by the department to offer the best training and dogs. Edelheim imports its dogs from Germany and breeds its own dogs.
"They start the training basically," Endler said.
Ice, whose official name is Edelheim Indigo Ice, was recommend by the academy. He is 2-1/2 years old. A police K-9 averages eight to 11 years of service. Dog food for Ice will be provided by the town.
He is trained in drug search, obedience, tracking and aggression, Owens said.
Ice's main priority will be as a drug dog.
"We just kind of fell in love with him," Endler said.
Owens and Ice have worked together once already, assisting Edelheim with a drug search at a school in the Knox area. Owens said they found a few contaminates during the search.
While getting used to working with Ice, Owens has also been making other changes. Ice will be living with Owens at his home and that has taken some getting used to, especially with another addition to Owen's family.
"We had a new baby at the same time," Owens said.
He said it was important to try to keep a balance between the dog and his family. Both require much attention, and his family is helping him to keep that balance - especially his wife.
"She's adjusted real good to him," he said.
Endler said Owens is the right man for the job.
"One of the reasons was that (the academy) put in for a large handler. He had also put in to work with a dog," Endler said.
Ice is still going through the last stages of training, Owens said, but he can do drug and search operations. Away from those operations, Ice is part of the Owens family and a top gun addition to the Syracuse Police Department.
"He likes to talk. If you ask him a question, he'll answer it. He barks like crazy," Owens said. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - In the movie "Top Gun," Val Kilmer played a Navy pilot named Ice.
In the town of Syracuse, Officer Dallas Owens works with a K-9 called Ice, named after Kilmer's character.
"He's basically like a big puppy. He definitely knows when to go to work though," Owens said.
Police Chief Bill Endler said the department investigated a K-9 program for some time. Letters were sent to businesses and individuals who responded with donations for the purchase of the German shepherd.
"We went to several kennels looking," Endler said.
The Edelheim Police K-9 Academy in Bunker Hill was determined by the department to offer the best training and dogs. Edelheim imports its dogs from Germany and breeds its own dogs.
"They start the training basically," Endler said.
Ice, whose official name is Edelheim Indigo Ice, was recommend by the academy. He is 2-1/2 years old. A police K-9 averages eight to 11 years of service. Dog food for Ice will be provided by the town.
He is trained in drug search, obedience, tracking and aggression, Owens said.
Ice's main priority will be as a drug dog.
"We just kind of fell in love with him," Endler said.
Owens and Ice have worked together once already, assisting Edelheim with a drug search at a school in the Knox area. Owens said they found a few contaminates during the search.
While getting used to working with Ice, Owens has also been making other changes. Ice will be living with Owens at his home and that has taken some getting used to, especially with another addition to Owen's family.
"We had a new baby at the same time," Owens said.
He said it was important to try to keep a balance between the dog and his family. Both require much attention, and his family is helping him to keep that balance - especially his wife.
"She's adjusted real good to him," he said.
Endler said Owens is the right man for the job.
"One of the reasons was that (the academy) put in for a large handler. He had also put in to work with a dog," Endler said.
Ice is still going through the last stages of training, Owens said, but he can do drug and search operations. Away from those operations, Ice is part of the Owens family and a top gun addition to the Syracuse Police Department.
"He likes to talk. If you ask him a question, he'll answer it. He barks like crazy," Owens said. [[In-content Ad]]