Derry police chief remains on leave nearly year after K-9 partner was euthanized

Derry police Chief Randy Glick remains on medical leave nearly a year after an Aug. 25 incident that resulted in the K-9 police dog he was partnered with being euthanized.

Derry Borough Council has since disbanded its police department’s K-9 program.

Area residents have criticized borough officials’ treatment of the police dog, Smoke. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office investigated and announced evidence did not support a criminal charge in the dog’s death.

Smoke was injured Aug. 25 in Glick’s backyard, when the dog confronted one person aggressively, bit another and got into a fight with a family dog, according to a statement by borough Solicitor Lee Demosky.

Glick ultimately used a Taser on the family dog to stop the fight, Demosky said. Three days later, a veterinarian’s examination revealed serious injuries to Smoke. Demosky said officials discussed surgery but were told by the vet euthanization was the “most humane” option.

Mayor Grant Nicely said the Aug. 25 incident “was an accident. There is no fault.”

Derry officials have not confirmed a report that Glick was injured in the incident.

Nicely said Tuesday the borough is not paying anything toward Glick’s salary during his leave.

Between payments from the borough’s workers’ compensation insurer and a police union benefit, Glick initially should have been receiving his full salary, according to the mayor. But Nicely said the union benefit has since run out.

Glick’s salary is a little more than $56,200 per year, according to borough secretary Lori Latta.

Derry received Smoke, a Malinois pup from Holland, in 2020. At the time, the borough said the dog would cost $4,500 and require about $5,000 in additional training.

The borough donated nearly $3,300 remaining in its K-9 account to the Westmoreland County Animal Response Team.