Yaenkee Retiring; Township To Get New Police Dog

So-long Yaenkee.

South Whitehall's 9-year-old police dog, who has served the township police department and community for about seven years, will be retiring, Police Chief Thomas Toth told township commissioners at their meeting last week.

"It's time for him to hang it up, to put it bluntly," Toth said. "He served us well." He did not cite any specific reason, such as health or age.

Last December, Yaenkee received a Chief's Award at a , which also honored police officers for meritorious work. He was also at in August at .

Yaenkee, a German Shepherd, will live with his handler, officer Kyle Golden, who will assume expenses for the dog's care.

South Whitehall commissioners approved the purchase of a new police dog for $10,000 from K-9 Academy in Walnutport. The new dog will go through seven to eight weeks of training before beginning his work with the township.

Police dogs are used to sniff for drugs or explosives, can chase and hold suspects or find missing people.