No evidence to support criminal charges in Derry police dog death, DA says

After investigating the death of Derry police dog Smoke, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday there is “not evidence to support charging a criminal offense at this time.”

The DA’s office said it conducted a “thorough and extensive investigation” into the euthanasia of the dog after an incident at Derry police chief and canine handler Randy Glick’s home, and consulted the treating veterinarian.

The update from the DA’s office comes on the heels of Derry solicitor Lee Demosky revealing more details of the incident at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. The borough is conducting its own investigation into the dog’s death.

Smoke was injured in the backyard of Glick’s home Aug. 25. A person in the home didn’t know the dog was outside and “was aggressively stopped by Smoke” when they entered the backyard, at which time the person “yelled for help,” Demosky said.

Another individual in the home ran to help and opened the door and was attacked and bitten by Smoke at the open doorway, Demosky said.

“Chief Glick ran to help…” Demosky said. “He was unaware that a family dog had run (into the yard) behind him. A fight ensued between these two dogs.

“Chief Glick intervened and made remarkable efforts to separate the two dogs but was unable to do so.”

Glick then shocked the family dog with a Taser stun gun to release its bite on Smoke, Demosky said.

Following the incident, the injured individuals received emergency medical care, he added.

“Smoke exhibited no signs of major trauma from the incident,” Demosky read. “He was noted to have a slight limp. Smoke ate and drank normally after the incident.”

Three days later, Aug. 28, Smoke was taken to a veterinarian as a precaution, where he was “sedated and examined,” Demosky said.

“It was discovered he suffered severe wounds to his hind end from the fight with the other dog, which involved his rectum and his anus,” Demosky said. “Surgical intervention was discussed, but the prognosis was poor.”

The veterinarian decided the most “humane option” was to euthanize Smoke, Demosky said.

No further comment was made by borough council members. Neither Glick nor anyone else with the police department could be reached for comment Wednesday.

The department received Smoke, a Malinois pup from Holland, in 2020. Previous reports indicated it cost $4,500 to buy the dog and another $5,000 to train it. Glick said in 2020 that he expected donations to help cover the cost of Smoke’s food and other expenses.

Demosky said Wednesday the borough’s investigation is “still ongoing.”

More than a dozen police dogs work at municipal departments in Westmoreland County, and there are others locally that are involved with county and state law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office.