BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office now has its own K-9 unit.

The agency recently welcomed Zoe, a 16-month-old Belgian Malinois, to the ranks.

Deputy Billy Patrick served as K9 handler for Martin County for five and one-half years until his former K9 Grimm passed away in July 2021.

“I’m thankful to Sheriff John Kirk for giving me the opportunity and trusting me to work another K9,” Patrick said. 

Patrick and Zoe completed their handlers course July 29 at Battle Ridge K9 in Morgantown, W.Va.

“This team clicked from the beginning,” Mike Mayes of Battle Ridge K9 said. “I expect big things from them.”

Patrick also expressed gratitude toward Mayes for picking Zoe for him.

“She’s an import from Mexico,” added Patrick.

Zoe is trained in narcotics.

“She will be able to find drugs that we as officers have no idea are there,” said Patrick. “She can also search a car in seconds where it takes us a while to search through them.”

Funding for the new unit came from an anonymous donor.

“I’d like to say thanks to that person as well,” said Patrick. “We needed the dog.”

Patrick and Zoe are spending some time bonding and exercising.