MUNCIE, Ind. — Jasper’s life was not always easy. Back and forth from animal shelters and different families thinking he found a forever home, to one family letting him run loose and getting hit by a car.
Days before being euthanized and on his last straw, an organization called The Throw Away Dogs Project saw Jasper’s energy and drive to get a tennis ball, they thought he would be a great dog to work with law enforcement.
The Throw Away Dogs Project paid fully for all of Jasper's training--- about 432 hours to become a drug detection dog. Officer Don Money, Jasper’s handler, average about 16 hours a week of additional training.
“We took a chance and I'll tell you, I wouldn't trade him for nothing,” Money said.
Money and Jasper have been partners for four years and is Money’s partner every doing traffic stops, and other police duties.
“He definitely makes the day go by fast, sometimes I find myself talking to him while we are driving, and asking him what he’s thinking and then I laugh,” Money said.
Jasper’s main goal as Money’s right hand man is to sniff out different narcotics. When he does find something, he sits down and looks up at Money. All of Jasper’s commands are in dutch.
“He has made me a better officer for sure. On top of that, it made me more knowledgeable about narcotics and made me want to be more knowledgeable about them,” Money said.
This is Greensboro Police Department first ever K9 on their force, as well as Indiana's first Pit Bull breed of a K9. Money says he hopes this isn't the last time Police Departments consider having Pit Bulls a part of their K9 unit, and a shelter dog.
ASPCA shelter data found that the number one intake breed in animal shelters is Pit Bulls, and they are also the most euthanized.
“I wish I could change everybody’s mind, but I can't. The narrative on Pit Bulls is extremely false. They are not just ally dogs or junkyard dogs, they are extremely intelligent, and our brains can't even wrap our heads around it,” Money.
Jasper goes home with Money each night, and acts like a normal dog when he is not on duty. At home, Jasper has two dog siblings that Money said are his “pals.”
“Sometimes when I'm hungry on shift and we go get food, I'll get him a pup cup and he loves that,” Money said.
If you would like to follow Jasper and his adventures as a Police K9 for the Greensboro Police department, his Instagram is @k9.jasper and TikTok @K9Jasper.
Contact Terra Konieczny with questions or concerns at Tbkonieczny@bsu.edu
