Woodville police to offer dog-encounter training

WOODVILLE – The Woodville Police Department is offering a training course in May to help Ohio law enforcement officers better handle situations involving potentially aggressive dogs.

The training is being offered in part because the Woodville K-9 handler shot and injured a chocolate Labrador retriever in November when the dog approached him during a traffic stop.

A private, anonymous donor gave the police department $2,100 to sponsor a free training that would give the department and officers around the state more skills in handling situations where they might need to defend themselves against a dog, Chief Roy Whitehead said.

"We're hoping to educate," he said.

Woodville's officers will take the training but also are offering it in the village for any law enforcement officer who is interested, he said. There is room for 75 to 100 officers, and they should register with Woodville police before the event.

The training, called "Canine Encounters," is May 4 at Woodville United Methodist Church. It is put on by Canine Encounters Law Enforcement Training of Arlington, Texas.

The instructor will discuss factors that contribute to a dog bite, self-defense against dogs and other dog-related topics.

mksmith@gannett.com

419-334-1044

Twitter: @kristinasmithNM

Want to attend the training?

The training is open to law enforcement officers. Anyone interested should call Woodville Police Chief Roy Whitehead at 419-849-2211, or email wpd8901@woodville.net to register.