Submitted Photo Danny and his handler were trained by ATF and given to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

BUFFALO — Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announced the newest K9 team for the Erie County Sheriff’s K9 unit has earned their certification and is now deployed.

Deputy Bartholomew and his partner, Danny, recently completed a 10-week long training at a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) facility in Virginia. The 400-hour training course included handler and obedience training, as well as scent detection training.

Danny is a 2-year-old yellow lab provided to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office by the ATF. The team of Deputy Bartholomew and Danny are certified as a single purpose, explosives detection K9 team. They will be deployed to search areas, stadiums and buildings before and during events, as well as to respond to bomb threats. The duo will work closely with the Sheriff’s Bomb Unit to detect and assess threats.

Danny was selected from a litter and received initial training through the Puppies Behind Bars program (PBB). The PBB program allows inmates to contribute to society by providing a service to law enforcement and the public.

Danny is the second canine the Sheriff’s Office has acquired through this program.