Police K9 Support

K9 Midas is West Deer Township Police Department's fourth K9 since the program was started in 1998 and is partnered with Officer Travis Elza.  Midas receives veterinary care at Twinbrook from great staff members who go above and beyond, according to Officer Elza.  

Midas is a 3 year old German Shepherd from the Czech Republic.  He has been on patrol since the beginning of 2023 and is trained to be a dual purpose K9.  Midas is certified in Narcotics Detection as well as Patrol Operations for tracking, article searches and criminal apprehension.  

Midas not only serves West Deer Township but also assists throughout the North Hills and surrounding communities.  Midas undergoes weekly trainings with the North Hills K9 training group and does annual certifications with Strategic Law Enforcement K9 Training group.  

K9 Chooch is a 6 1/2 yr old Belgian Malinois who completed his training and began patrolling Butler City with his handler Lieutenant Brian Grooms in January of 2020.  Chooch is considered to be a dual purpose K9; he is trained for Narcotics Detection and well as full Patrol Operations, like Tracking and Criminal Apprehension. 

Chooch participates in ongoing training at facilities in Pittsburgh twice a month. 

K9 Bolt is Officer Heider’s third Police K9 that Twinbrook has cared for; his previous K9s Klif and Mibo were also spoiled by our great staff!

K9 Bolt is a 65-pound, four-year-old, Polish-born German Shepherd. He is trained and certified for Narcotics Detection, as well as full Patrol Operations such as Tracking and Criminal Apprehension.

K9 Bolt was trained by East Coast Canine, Inc.  On-going operational training continues with ECC, Inc. in North Carolina as well as locally with Strategic Law Enforcement K-9 Training, Inc. and the North Hills K9 Training Group.

8/14/2022

Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc. is deeply saddened to announce the passing of K9 Mibo. K9 Officer Mibo, 75-pound male German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois-mix, was Middlesex Township Police Department’s Dual-Purpose Police Dog handled by Officer Mark Heider. After a medical emergency, K9 Mibo ended his watch on Sunday, August 14th, 2022.   

K9 Mibo primarily patrolled Middlesex Township, but assisted in other parts of Butler County. As part of a 16-dog response group, if needed, he would respond anywhere in western and central Pennsylvania. K9 Mibo’s Dual-Purpose capabilities included detection and patrol. His detection work focused on explosives, guns, and evidence; this means he responded to Bomb Threats and Security Sweeps. Since he started working here in Butler County, K9 Mibo responded to Bomb Threats at the Butler, Mars, and South Butler (Knoch) School Districts. In addition, he helped keep events safe such as the NHL Winter Classic, the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as NFL Steeler season, and playoff games.

K9 Mibo will be greatly missed by the staff at Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc.