TIPTON — Every dog has its day, and for Tanja, that day has come.
Tanja has served the last seven years as a K-9 officer with the Tipton Police Department in Tipton County.
Now, it's retirement time for the eight-year-old female Belgian Malinois. Ceremonies, including a cake, were held this week.
Tanja's handler has been Assistant Chief David Lacy. K-9 Tanja was purchased by using a combination of donations from local businesses and private citizens, as well as city-budgeted funds.
According to the police department, the K-9 specialized in drug detection, tracking/apprehending suspects, and public relations. She is responsible for numerous drug-related arrests throughout her career.
Tanja had two notable suspect apprehensions. The first came while assisting deputies on a domestic violence call. The suspect had left the home prior to officers arriving, but was believed to be hiding in a pole barn behind the residence. Tanja conducted a building search for the suspect and alerted officers of the suspect’s presence in the pole barn loft. After verbal commands were given for the suspect to give himself up, all without response, Tanja was sent into the loft entrance and the suspect surrendered.
The second apprehension came after a bar fight. One of the suspects ran from the scene and Assistant Chief Lacy located him approximately three blocks away. Again, Tanja was called on to apprehend the suspect. When the K-9 Tanja got within 10-yards of the man, he dropped to his knees with his hands in the air and was arrested.
Assistant Chief Lacy said, “I began my career in law enforcement in 2009. In 2013, I was fortunate enough to attain my goal of becoming a K-9 handler. This only happened because of the overwhelming support from the department’s K-9 handler at the time, Brian DellaRosa, former Chief of Police Tom Clark, the late City of Tipton Mayor Don Havens, and most importantly the citizens of Tipton."
Assistant Chief Lacy reflected back on his career as K-9 Tanja’s handler and stated, “Starting out, I always thought the best part of being a K-9 handler would be finding illegal drugs and arresting bad guys. Although I did enjoy doing those things, the best parts of being a K-9 handler were the times I got to spend with the youth in our community and demonstrate what K-9 Tanja is capable of doing.”
Happy Retirement, Tanja!
