PERRY COUNTY SHERIFF OFFERS TO PUT NEW DRUG-SNIFFING DOG TO WORK AT BUSINESSES

PERRYVILLE -- Eiko the K-9 has a bone to pick with people who have illegal drugs in Perry County.

Eiko, a 2-year-old German shepherd, went to work last week sniffing for drugs at a business, which is something Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf wants to make a regular practice.

"One of the reasons we acquired the K-9 was numerous reports from area businesses concerning drugs in the work place," Schaaf said. "Now that our program is up and running, I want to offer this service to all area businesses on a regular basis."

On Friday Eiko and his handler, sheriff's Sgt. James Rice, went to the Gilster-Mary Lee food processing plant in McBride by invitation from company officials. Along with assistance from officers from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Conservation Department, Rice and Eiko looked in vain for drugs inside the plant.

In the employee parking lot, however, Eiko pointed out two cars that had marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were David L. Moser, 28, of Lithium, and Floyd M. Leggans, 38, of Gorham, Ill. They were charged with misdemeanor possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Company officials had actually made their request for a dog in September, but Eiko's original handler had left the sheriff's department. The dog was trained a second time with Rice.

It took four months to train Eiko and Rice, said Mike Ervin of Cape Girardeau, who works with law enforcement agencies and their dogs throughout the state.

"After four to six months, that's just enough to get them ready to go on the street," Ervin said. The training process is continual, he said.

Law enforcement dogs can be trained for either patrol, narcotics or both, Ervin said. Patrol training involves apprehension of criminals. Two to three months are necessary to prepare a narcotics dog.

Eiko is a dual-purpose dog, ready for both patrol and narcotics. Since he finished training Feb. 1, Perry County's K-9 has been responsible for a few drug busts on traffic stops, Schaaf said.

The sheriff hopes to see Eiko at more area businesses but by invitation only.

"I would encourage everyone to give it serious consideration," Schaaf said. "Even if you just suspect it, and then we show up and don't find anything, at least you have shown that you are going to take steps to prevent this sort of thing from going on at work."