Less than two weeks after Cirka was given the go-ahead to begin working again after recovering from a second hip replacement, the search and rescue dog proved she was squarely back on track.
Cirka, along with teammate Jordan, both German shepherds, are part of the Big Creek K-9 Search and Rescue Dog Team in Concord Township led by Will Rosch.
The team was called on Aug. 8 by the Lorain Police Department, which was in need of dogs certified in cadaver search. Although the department has its own K-9 units, they aren't certified for such searches.
"I've been a cop for 22 years and this is the first time I needed a cadaver dog," said Lorain Police Lt. Mark Carpentier, adding the suspected human remains involved with the case were not visible.
Rosch's specially trained K-9 team was at the scene about two hours after receiving the call from the Lorain police.
Once directed to begin her work, it took Cirka fewer than 60 seconds to hone in on the exact location of the remains of Catherine Hoholski, whom police believe was killed by Albert Fine, 30, of Lorain.
She was found at an apartment complex at Tower Boulevard and Temple Avenue in Lorain where the two lived together. Hoholski had been dead for weeks, said Lorain County Coroner Dr. Stephen Evans. He said dental records were being used to confirm the identity of he body.
After finding the remains, Cirka was sent on a related search that also was completed successfully.
"She really did an awesome job," Rosch said. "We got complimented by the coroner and the detective about how well she did and how quick it was." To double-check accuracy, Jordan was dispatched on the same two missions and verified Cirka's finds. Carpentier remarked on the value of the dogs' assistance.
"The (dogs) were very important," he said. "We were at an impasse. We used the dogs to verify what we expected we smelled. Thus, we were able to get a search warrant and thus find the woman's body where we suspected it was."
In the past eight years, Big Creek K-9 Search and Rescue Dog Team has recovered about half a dozen bodies. Despite their effectiveness, Rosch said "a lot of police and fire departments don't know these dogs are out there."
Questioned on how he felt about his team's valuable help in the case in Lorain, Rosch said "It's kind of our feeling that we're glad to be there to do it and help because it could be us on the other side wishing there was somebody to do it." Cirka's effort comes months after undergoing hip replacement surgery, most of which was covered by donations.
About $4,500 was collected to help with the cost of the $5,000 operation. In the past, the team has provided free demonstrations to various community groups. Next weekend they will conduct training sessions in Geauga County, which are open to the public.
For more information, visit www.bigcreekk9sar.com or find them on Facebook at Big Creek Search Dog Team.
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