YAKIMA, Wash.- A new officer is patrolling the Yakima County Jail and joining the fight against drugs getting into the facility.
K-9 Luka and his handler Officer David Zanotelli graduated from the Washington State Department of Corrections’ fentanyl detection course last week. April 15 marked their first day on duty and the duo is already getting results.
“It’s been a busy first day because we got around the jail and saw some areas where nobody’s at,” said Luka’s handler, Officer David Zanotelli. “First thing this morning, Luka searched a couple of units and the last one we searched, we had a win as far as I’m concerned. Luka didn’t have to search but the inmates gave up what was in the cell.”
Those are the results Yakima DoC Chief Bill Splawn is hoping for after bringing in Luka.
“I’m hoping it has a huge impact on not only the contraband coming into the facility but overdoses,” says Chief Splawn. “If the drugs aren’t here, we’re not going to overdose.”
After 22 overdose incidents in 2023, resulting in four deaths, Chief Splawn has set an emphasis on protecting both inmates and staff from drug exposure in the jail.
The jail is also working on securing updated body scanners to stop drugs like fentanyl from making it in. Vital sign readers are also in the works that would spot changes to inmates vitals in the pre-class unit.
“I think it’s the next logical step for us on top of the things we’re already doing,” says Splawn. “This to me solidifies our program of keeping this place safe.”
Officer Zanotelli and Luka went through six weeks of training in Airway Heights to prepare for Yakima County. WSDOC prepped Yakima’s duo along with four other K-9 units.
At the graduation ceremony on April 11, Zanotelli and Luka found themselves tied with one other pair for top of the class.
“Every night was a different night,” says Zanotelli. “We learned something every night. Very grueling, very intense course so that the dogs are ready when they go to work.”
While Zanotelli will be the one handling Luka consistently, Chief Splawn says that the K-9’s handlers received the most training.
“What we learned at the graduation was they don’t train the dog,” says Splawn. “They train handlers to train their dogs. So, they gave Officer Zanotelli the tools to be able to train Luka in fighting narcotics and drugs in our facility.”
At the end of their shifts, Luka goes home with Zanotelli. Though he is still considered a county employee, Luka is still an energetic dog when off the clock. Zanotelli uses toys as Luka’s reward for finding contraband, so the K-9 won’t be able to play fetch at home, he’s still a sucker for scratches.
