North Las Vegas has a new four-legged crime fighter.
A news release said that two-year-old female yellow Labrador Retriever, Jersey, is sniffing out arsonists. Jersey was originally going to be a disability assistance canine, but is now the department’s “first accelerant detection specialist.”
Jersey and her handler Captain Darcy Loewen graduated from the State Farm Arson Dog Training Program in New Hampshire, and now they are working as a valuable asset to the Nevada fire service.
North Las Vegas fire chief Joseph Calhoun said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome K9 Darcy to our department. The North Las Vegas Fire Department is a full-service fire agency, and this fantastic partnership with State Farm provides our residents with yet another very important capability that is unique here in Southern Nevada to our department.”
State Farm Vice President Kenneth Whitehair said, “This means a great deal to State Farm, fire departments, and local communities. The scope of arson goes beyond impacting insurance companies – it affects the personal and financial well-being of a community. These K9s enable investigators to do their job more efficiently and effectively.”
Loewen and Jersey are ready to see the community and sniff out intentionally set fires.
Loewen said, “Jersey is ready to serve our residents. She has proven she’s up to the task, and I’m excited to be working with my new partner.”
Photos: State Farm