Valley police, canines win training awards

[Global Paw]

June 8, 2004

Jason Leindecker of Coopersburg police captured two first-place medals and one third place last month in the second annual Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association K-9 Trials in Hershey.

More than 40 officers and their dogs from police departments in Pennsylvania participated and competed in four categories: aggression, cross country, drug detection and obedience.

They competed in four regions, with Lehigh Valley part of the northeast region.

Leindecker and his dog took first in cross country and drug detection and finished third in obedience.

John Hill and his dog, Axel, of Allentown police placed first in obedience, while fellow Allentown officer Michael Mancini and his dog, Sem, placed second in drug detection.

Michael Vangelo and his dog of Easton police took second, and Michael Fritts and his dog of Upper Saucon police took third in cross country.

Chris Young and his dog of Plainfield Township police took second in obedience.

Area place winners will advance to the final competition to be held in Lancaster on July 13-14.