Storm Comes Home: Beloved K-9 Officer Officially Joins Put-in-Bay Police Department
After months of separation and uncertainty, Put-in-Bay’s beloved K-9, Storm, is finally home — this time as an official member of the Put-in-Bay Police Department alongside his longtime handler, Officer Gary Allred.
Storm first came to the island in 2023 when Officer Allred was serving with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department. The duo quickly became local favorites, leading community outreach and safety initiatives that grew into a full campaign led by an island safety task force. Their work included social media messaging, educational programs, and even billboards along Route 2 featuring Storm as the face of island safety.
When Allred later transitioned from the Sheriff’s Department to the Put-in-Bay Police Department in May 2025, Storm remained with the county — leaving the island without its K-9 officer and many wondering if the two would ever be reunited.
That question has now been answered.
“It was an emotional and joyful reunion,” Allred shared. “We had been apart from May 9 through September 30 — months that felt long, but the moment we were reunited made every second worth it.”
The reunion was made possible through a groundswell of community support. The first fundraiser, organized by Anita McCann at The Dog House, helped launch an effort to bring a K-9 back to the island. At the time, it wasn’t certain that Storm could return — the campaign’s goal was simply to re-establish a K-9 program. But, as Allred put it, “the stars aligned,” and Storm once again became available.
Now back for good, Storm is officially owned and employed by the Put-in-Bay Police Department. The three-and-a-half-year-old purebred German Shepherd from Jessen, Germany, is a dual-purpose K-9 trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article searches, and criminal apprehension.
As they look ahead to the 2026 season, Allred and Storm plan to continue community engagement efforts, including downtown patrols, drug-detection operations, and the return of “Sundays with Storm” in partnership with the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce. Storm will also make school visits to greet island children and help promote public safety awareness.
“Bringing Storm back feels like welcoming a loved one home,” Allred said. “Not just for me, but for the entire island. Storm isn’t just a K-9 — he’s family.”
Donations are still being accepted to help equip the K-9 unit with specialized gear and a dedicated patrol vehicle.
