By RUTH RICE
The Tribune-Democrat
November 20, 2009 10:58 pm
—
Ed Porada, a police officer with Paint Township, gets to bring his dog to work.
In Porada’s case, his dog is his work.
Porada, who has been on the Paint Township force for almost 10 years, is partnered with Dax, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinos trained for drug tracking and apprehension.
Dax goes with Porada on all calls, staying in the back of the squad car when they’re at the municipal building.
“I have a special car with a cage in the back,” Porada said.
“We’re available 24 hours and work with the drug task force,” he said.
Because Dax spins his entire body in excitement and anticipation when he knows he’s going on a call with Porada, or when anyone nears the car, the fur flies.
It’s Porada’s job to keep his partner’s hair cleaned out of the back of the squad car.
But when Dax is on duty, everyone listens.
“He gets more respect than 10 officers,” said Paint Township police Chief Rick Skiles.
“He’s a deterrent on crime,” Porada agreed. “I don’t even get him out of the car, and fights are controlled.
“When I say I’m sending the dog in, it’s over.”
Porada said when the bars close and patrons don’t want to leave, he only has to open the door to let Dax out of the car and offenders leave quickly.
Dax is used when police need to search a house for drugs or suspects hiding inside.
Whether he finds drugs, drug residue or humans, Dax’s signal to Porada is to scratch the spot.
During his police career, Dax has had both nonbite and bite apprehensions.
In addition to Paint Township, Porada patrols in Central City, Benson Borough and Windber.
“We utilize him in programs with Windber schools,” Skiles said. “He does unannounced building checks at the high school, middle school and elementary school. The public likes him. He gives them an added sense of security.”
Dax demonstrates his skills at day camps at Windber Recreation Park.
“Sometimes individuals ask Ed and Dax to put on a program, and we ask that they donate to a community account fund for the K-9 program,” Skiles said. “It’s expensive with the vehicle and care and training. We need public support and donations to make it continue. The demonstrations are amazing to watch.”
Windber schoolchildren raised more than $1,000 in a program called “Pennies for Dax” to buy a bullet-proof vest and other equipment for the dog.
“We use the vest when we’re sending Dax into a situation where we think a suspect might be armed, but it’s too heavy to use all the time,” Porada said.
Porada, 42, has worked with Dax since the dog was 14 months old.
Dax was purchased for $6,000 in 2004 from Skyline Drive Kennels in Madison County, Va., which got him directly from Belgium.
“He had apprehension, tracking and obedience training,” Porada said. “It had to be fine-tuned with me. We spent a week in Binghamton, N.Y., training together.”
Porada and Dax also go to drug training twice a month in Johnstown with other officers in the Eastern Police Canine Association.
After frolicking with Porada outside the Paint Township municipal building, Dax put on a drug tracking demonstration, searching with ears alert and attention riveted until he found the rolled up towel with the drug scent Porada had hidden.
Before the search, there was some difference of opinion on who was in charge when Dax’s alpha instincts clashed with Porada’s.
As Dax barked and struggled at his leash, Porada spoke to him firmly in Dutch, the language in which he was trained, until the dog submitted to his authority.
“There’s always a battle because Dax is the alpha dog and wants to be the leader, but as the handler, I have to be the alpha. I can’t let the dog win. I must remain in control,” Porada said.
When not on duty, Dax is a part of Porada’s family, which includes his wife, Melony, and three children ages 15, 10 and 9.
“When any department has a dog, they go home with the handler,” Porada said. “When he’s not working, he’s like any other pet.”
When Porada’s daughter was 4 years old, Dax allowed her to play veterinarian and wrap his head in gauze.
He can be as gentle as a lamb when dealing with Porada’s family or anyone else not involved in his work, but when duty calls, Dax is instantly ready for action.
“He can turn it on and off like a light switch,” Porada said. “When I put on my uniform, he knows he’s ready for work. He wears a special collar to work.”
Porada, who graduated from Richland High School in 1985, has always wanted to work in emergency services.
He attended the Municipal Police Academy when it was located at Greater Johnstown Vo-Tech in Richland Township.
Before becoming a police officer, Porada was a firefighter and fire investigator for Richland Township Fire Department, where he worked with another dog, Lazer, who was trained in arson detection.
Porada still had Lazer when he came to Paint Township and worked with him until the dog died in 2002.
When not on the job, Porada enjoys football, hockey and baseball and attends games featuring the Johnstown Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.
Porada used to play hockey in the early 1990s and would like to get back to it.
He also enjoys spending time with his family and going on vacation with them.
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