Attorney contributes to IOW police dog
Published 11:03 am Friday, July 4, 2014
ISLE OF WIGHT—Eko, a Belgian malinois, has been given an extra layer of maneuverability through the generosity of an attorney.
Eko wears an XCaliber Harness that enables his handler, Patrol Deputy J.P. Hopko, center, to more easily maneuver the dog. With them are attorney Adam Carroll, left, with Isle of Wight County Sheriff Mark Marshall. Carroll and his law firm in Virginia Beach contributed the money to buy the special harness, valued at $600.
— STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS
Adam Carroll of Wolcott, Rivers and Gates in Virginia Beach said he was joking around with Patrol Deputy J.P. Hopko a couple of months ago in the Isle of Wight Courthouse when the topic came up about the deputy’s police dog. The subject turned to the need for a better harness, which inspired Carroll.
“I love dogs,” he said about his motivation to help, and explained that he looked at specifics about such equipment.
“Me and my firm decided to help,” said Carroll, who added that they provided the money for the purchase.
According to the website, www.tripwireop.org, Eko wears an XCaliber Harness that’s listed at $600 for the bass. Attachments can range in price from $50 to $125.
“The harness will help with the tracking,” said Hopko, who works with Eko in detecting narcotics; there’s another dog on the force that’s devoted to sniffing out explosives.
The deputy, who’s been on the canine duty for five years, also said that one of the advantages to the new harness is that he doesn’t need to switch out with other equipment for when Eko is working.
The website elaborates that the harness “will keep the K-9 team safe by giving the handler the ability to maneuver the dog in ways that are not possible with current harness products.”
