Dog purchased by Orioles is the cat’s meow for DeBary

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Welcome — Capt. Alan Osowski, left, who supervises Sheriff's Office operations in DeBary, welcomes his newest deputy, K-9 Asco. Asco is now going through 400 hours of specialized training with his partner, Deputy Persio Genao, right.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Birds of a feather — DeBary Mayor Bob Garcia accepts a symbolic check from Fraternal Order of Orioles Nest 322 Secretary Ann Batson, as other members of the Orioles look on. The donation made it possible for the city to purchase Asco, a police canine who will serve in DeBary.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Newest deputy — K-9 Asco, DeBary’s newest deputy, hits the road with his trainer and partner, Volusia County Deputy Persio Genao. Genao is happy to work with the new K-9.

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Nov 3, 2009 - 10:16:49am

On July 1, DeBary said a bittersweet goodbye to Brit, a Volusia County canine officer, when the dog retired after suffering an injury during training.

The city missed having a K-9. So did Deputy Persio Genao, Brit’s human partner.

Now there’s a new K-9 named Asco for Genao and DeBary.

Here’s how it happened:

Capt. Alan Osowski, who supervises the Sheriff’s Office operation in DeBary, along with members of the city’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, talked about how DeBary could once again have a canine officer.

Ann Batson, a member of the committee, is also secretary of Fraternal Order of Orioles Nest 322 in DeBary.

The plan was hatched: Raise funds to buy a new K-9. The dogs aren’t cheap. Asco cost $8,300.

His law-enforcement training, a GPS system to track him when he’s chasing bad guys, an igloo where he can sleep, and other expenses added up to several thousand dollars.

“We saw the need, accepted the need, and just jumped. We were going to make sure DeBary got its dog,” Batson said.

The DeBary Orioles started hosting fundraisers, including a bicycle event and raffles. Police volunteers from DeBary and South Daytona helped.

Word got out, and checks starting appearing. Some of the money came in to the Orioles, and some was sent to City Hall.

The Orioles raised $2,117, which Batson, trustees Chris Brooks and Foster Hughes and other Orioles members presented to the City of DeBary and Capt. Osowski at the Oct. 21 City Council meeting.

“This is a prime example of the success of public and private partnerships,” DeBary Acting City Manager Kassandra Blissett said. “The community is fortunate to have such a caring group of individuals.”

The check brought the K-9 fund to a total of $11,376.50 — enough to cover the cost of Asco and related expenses.

Asco is just over 2 years old. He came from Germany, where he received basic obedience training — in German.

On Friday, Oct. 23, Deputy Genao showed off Asco, who had just finished his first week of law-enforcement training. Asco was getting used to the lights, siren and radio in the patrol car.

Asco will complete 400 hours of training before he goes to work. The K-9 will be a narcotics specialist.

“He’ll be mostly here, in DeBary,” Genao said.

Both Genao and Osowski were thankful for the Orioles’ work in bringing the new dog to DeBary.

Who are the Orioles? A 100-year-old fraternal organization, Batson explained. DeBary’s chapter is going on its second year in existence, with more than 300 members already.

The Orioles have their own Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which is 32 members strong. CERT teams aid in times of disaster.

Anyone interested in the Orioles can stop at the nest at 2995 Enterprise Road in DeBary. It opens at 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, and at noon on Saturday.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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