The Warren County Canine Board along with the Youngsville Council and Borough Police Department have decided to continue the K-9 program in Youngsville for the first time.

Mimi will be able to assist surrounding agencies and counties. This particular breed is known for its intelligence, athleticism and affectionate nature. Trained and certified in narcotics detection and tracking, Mimi will be able to assist surrounding agencies and counties. Stationed in Youngsville, the young pointer has already helped with many cases in Youngsville as well as the Warren County Drug Task Force.

Youngsville was chosen in part due to its central location in the county but also because the department was ready to take on the task thanks to Officer Mitch Labesky. Already proactive in the drug task force, Labesky became a certified K-9 handler.

This meant that Labesky underwent 200 hours of training before becoming certified by Shallow Creek Kennels. Labesky said the breed is what he had in mind and Mimi has been trained as a working dog since a pup before reaching the U.S. from Hungary.

Officer Mitch Labesky with his partner Mimi are trained and ready to assist the county.

“She is considered a single purpose dog; she is purely for narcotics and tracking an article,” Labesky said.

The deterrence of crime is the key factor in having Mimi added to the department and around the county. Officers are happy to have Mimi on the force with her ability to assist in narcotics detection and tracking. In addition, Mimi is heavily trained in obedience and is able to track an at-risk elderly person for example, or a child who has gone missing.

Community donations, taxpayer contributions and grants have all made it possible for Badge 409 Officer Mimi to be an all-county asset. Support has been received from the Community Foundation of Warren County, the K9 board, Sheriff Scott Neiswonger, Chief Todd Mineweaser, and many others.

When asked what Mimi’s life is like at home when she’s not “on the clock” working, Labesky replied, “As much as she seems like a pet, she is a working dog, so her diet is pretty strict. Because if we get called out, she has to be able to go out and do her job. So we gotta make sure she stays in shape. She can’t get overweight.”

Mimi will also begin making appearances at local events and outreach programs along with meeting public safety across the county.

“She actively is working and trying to make the community a safer, safer place,” Labesky said.