PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has adopted a dog from the Parsippany Animal Shelter to be trained as a single purpose explosive detection dog. K9 Boomer, an eight month old German Shepherd / Labrador Mix was selected after passing the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Section’s rigorous preliminary testing standards.
Sheriff James M. Gannon said, “From shelter to a hard working K-9 team, we welcome Boomer to our law enforcement family.”
Opportunity struck when Sheriff’s Detective Corporal Mike McMahon was attempting to adopt a bearded dragon for his son. Parsippany Animal Control Officer Kaitlin Kopshaw spoke to Detective Corporal McMahon about the dog, then known as Becker, expressing he could be a good candidate for police work. The dog had been to a few homes, but returned after a short time due to having a tremendous amount of energy. Detective Corporal McMahon met the dog and conducted preliminary tests of the dog’s abilities.
On September 18, the shelter dog was evaluated by Detective Sergeant Aaron Tomasini and Detective Corporal McMahon where he qualified to receive training as an explosive detection dog. Boomer was re-named and will become the Morris County Sheriff’s Office 29th Single Purpose Specialty Dog in the history of the K-9 Section.
Sheriff James M. Gannon said, “The K-9 Section will train Boomer to perform his expected duties while continuing to provide a high level of service to the residents of Morris County at no expense to the taxpayers.”
Parsippany Mayor James Barberio said, “The Parsippany Animal Shelter is happy to work in accordance with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. I am very thankful to the K-9 Section for adopting Becker from our animal shelter, now known as Boomer, and giving him an important job within their task force. We know Boomer will far exceed our expectations and we are anxiously awaiting all that he will accomplish!”
“An opportunity like this doesn’t present itself very often. Having the ability to create a happy ending of a bad situation is truly inspiring. It just proves that every dog has a purpose,” said Detective Sergeant Aaron Tomasini of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Section.
