County K-9 retires
By Donna Comella

Wayne County Sheriff Richard Pisciotti says that Quigley is 12 years old and ready to retire. The Yellow Labrador Retriever is one of four dogs who serve the department. According to the Sheriff, Quigley's specialties are searching for 'drugs and cadavers.'

After seven years of service, the dog received official authorization this week to leave service 'for medical reasons' and retire to the home of his trainer, Deputy William Carr, of Clyde. (The dog lives with Carr now, said Pisciotti. 'He is part of the family.')

Quigley has assisted not only Wayne County, but also the FBI and several other federal, state and local agencies. Pisciotti said he thought that Quigley's work in New York City following the September 11 tragedy took a toll on the aging canine.

The other dogs in the County's K-9 unit are a German Shepherd that searches for bombs, one that searches for narcotics, and a Bloodhound - all three dogs are trained to track. The Sheriff already has a line on a replacement for Quigley - another Yellow Lab.

The County K-9 program began in 1985. The dogs are purchased with money seized in drug-related arrests, said Pisciotti. People also make donations to the K-9 unit. The Sheriff mentioned that many area organizations are generous to the program, including local fire departments, the Elks, American Legion posts, Senior Citizen groups, and area Granges. If your group is interested in raising funds for the dogs, contact the Sheriff's Department.

(Courier-Gazette file photo of Deputy Carr and Quigley.)

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