Chimera Kennels

MASSILLON, OH — Inca has been stopping criminals in their tracks since hitting the streets last winter.

Only one suspect has dared to run – for a short distance – upon seeing the imposing, Argentinean Mastiff.

After halting his steps, the suspect reportedly told Inca’s handler, Massillon police officer Miguel Riccio Jr., “I might be stupid, but I’m not crazy.”

“Since we got Inca, they don’t run. They see him and don’t run,” Riccio said.

Inca joined the Massillon Police Department earlier this year, becoming the first of his breed to be certified as a dual purpose K-9 unit in the U.S. The designation allows Inca to be used for drug detection as well as police work, which includes tracking fleeing suspects.

Last month, Inca was enlisted to help Perry Township police find a suspect who ran after crashing his car into a Bailey Street Northwest house. Although the suspect had a head start, Inca was able to find his scent. No arrests, however, have been made in the case.

“He’s doing real good ... he’s constantly going to do work with all the other (police) departments,” Riccio said.

In February, Inca displayed his tracking prowess by finding a Jackson Township burglar on a three-mile search through a wooded area. In another incident, Inca discovered a burglar hiding in a closet in a dark house.

“There was no electricity and he went through all the rooms. There was someone behind it (closet) wearing a mask,” Riccio said.

This summer, Inca is assisting Massillon’s Street Crimes Unit and SWAT team with drug detection.

So far, Inca has a 100 percent success rate, according to Riccio.

“He’s been hitting on a lot of dope,” Riccio said.

Inca also can sniff out cash: He found $5,000 during a credit card theft investigation at a Jackson Township motel, Riccio said.

Riccio, a native of Argentina, already was familiar with the Dogo breed when he bought the dog earlier this year. For years, the dog has been used by police and military in Argentina.

In the beginning, some questioned whether Inca could be trained as a K-9 unit.

But Riccio persevered.

“All the sacrifice is working out. I can’t ask for anything more,” Riccio said. “He’s helping us out on the streets.”

Riccio and Inca have moved on to advanced training at Buckeye Area Regional K-9 Academy. The two attend an eight-hour session each Tuesday at the Northeast Ohio school.

“They’re doing different scenarios such as hostage situations,” Riccio said. “... It’s all about practice. He knows pretty much everything.”

Meanwhile, Inca’s exploits are earning him attention locally and in cyberspace through the Massillon Police Department’s Facebook website. Photos and posts about Inca have attracted comments from as far away as Italy and the Czech Republic.

“People love him,” Riccio said.

i saw his website, and his vids on youtube. i wish i could have seen the faces on the officers that opposed his acceptance into the force. i wonder if the little malinois owners were a little jealous seeing that impressive dogo's presence. and also the reactions on the perp's faces when theyre about to get hunted by that beast. good stuff nico.

Yeah, must be scary to have this monster run after you. I thought it was great news to see a member of the mastiff family doing so well in the police force. Hope we'll see more mastiff doing police work in the future!

It's about time, I'm glad to see the police force branching out beyond the hearders.Thanks for the post.