K-9 controversy puts Westmoreland Co. sheriff under fire

A controversy is boiling over about the K-9 Diesel and his standing in the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, so much so that county leaders are now involved.

"You can't have a dog with a family and then remove it after a certain period of time, that dog is traumatized,” Bruna Leonard, a family friend, said.

K9 diesel had been with handler Jason Grecco for more than 2 years, but recently, the sheriff moved Diesel to a new handler and the reason why hasn't been disclosed.

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"That's part of the personnel issue that we have with him, can't really get into it it's confidential in nature,” Westmoreland County Sheriff Jon Held said.

Held told Channel 11 he believes the backlash is a personal vendetta and political and said the dog adapting into home life has become a liability.

"Other pictures of the dogs sleeping with the kids that's very disturbing, that's high liability - just as I would never take my side arm away from duty and put in the bed for my kids to go sleep with my side arm I wouldn't do that with a working dog,” Held said.

"Jason has embraced the idea of the K-9 unit and he has grown, and Jason has really morphed into a fantastic K9 officer,” Dr. John O’Laughlin, Diesel’s former veterinarian said.

Those familiar with K9 diesel and his handler say this move could be a costly mistake.

"In this dog situation, someone makes a mistake and doesn't read the dog right - people may die and may die quickly you cannot afford mistakes,” O’Laughlin said.

Channel 11 took the concerns to county commissioners. They told us retraining could cost thousands, they're working on resolving the issue, and getting K9 diesel back on the streets.

"Our two main goals is to make sure that dog gets home to his family and continues to fight the drug epidemic in Westmoreland county,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli said.

Who owns the dog? Commissioners will make the decision if it is technically county property

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