Pascha, 5-Year Member of K-9 Corps, Dies

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department lost a veteran crime fighter this week when 6-year-old police dog Pascha died, officials said.

Pascha--a German shepherd trained to an advanced level in Germany, was bought by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in 1992.

Like most of the county’s canines, Pascha Vom Kasseler Kreuz--the dog’s full name--was used for everything from sniffing out narcotics and suspects to entertaining children during demonstrations at schools.

The highly trained police dogs--mostly German shepherds and Belgian Malinois--are bred and trained in Europe.

A well-trained dog can cost $9,000 to $12,000, which is paid for through donations.

The cost also covers one month of training with the officer who eventually will become the dog’s handler, said Capt. Haskell Chandler, who supervises the canine program for the department.

The department now has four dogs.

Pascha was first paired with Sgt. Steve Wade, working in the Camarillo area.

In November 1994, Pascha was reassigned to Deputy Joe Rivas and continued to work the Camarillo area. Pascha received weekly training and went through a 260-hour police canine training certification.

The training periods are critical for dog and deputy because the dog must learn to bond with the officer, Chandler said.

Eventually, the deputy and dog are together constantly.

On their off hours, the deputies take the dogs home and make them part of their families, he said.

The bond is so tight that a dog will give its life for its owner, Chandler said.

The department is trying to find a dog in Germany to replace Pascha, who died of an intestinal blockage, and might have to replace another of its dogs soon, Chandler said.

Anyone interested in making donations toward the Sheriff’s Department K-9 Trust can drop off a check at any sheriff’s station or send one to the Sheriff’s K-9 Program, c/o Capt. Haskell Chandler, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009.