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HAMILTON — Fonzie, the pioneer canine of the Butler County Sheriff's Office inmate training program, as been released from jail after biting two inmates last week.

The year-old shepherd mix, the first dog in the Project Free Inmate Dog Obedience — or FIDO — that pairs dogs from the Animal Friends Humane Society in Trenton with Butler County Jail inmates for a stint of obedience training spent 10 days in quarantine from the general jail population after biting inmates Terry Lee Collins and Joseph Hopkins on June 27.

Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer said Friday, July 11, he learned there were still some issues with Fonzie "play biting" during some maneuvers with his inmate trainer William Disney and decided to send Fonzie back to the Trenton shelter.

"The inmate has made progress with the dog and that will continue at the shelter. The dog will not be euthanized.

"And the program will continue with another animal," Dwyer said, adding the new dog will also be paired with Disney, a Fairfield resident serving six months for probation violations who wants to continue in the program.

Last month, Fonzie went chasing after a loose basketball in a recreation area, and Collins and Hopkins were bitten on the ankles and were treated for puncture wounds, sheriff's officials said.

Disney, who said he volunteered for the program because he loves dogs and he wanted to be productive during his stay in jail, termed the incident "rough housing."

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said the program is not in jeopardy and getting another dog will assure its continued success.

"I would say Fonzie is 60 percent better able to be around people. So we were successful. Now we need a happy ending for Fonzie. He needs a home," Jones said.

The sheriff admitted he is usually tough on inmates, but praised Disney for his work with the dog.

Leland Gordon, executive director of the humane society, said Fonzie suffered neglect and came to the shelter with a chain embedded in his neck.

"He is a young dog who needs a lot of training. But he is not a mean dog," Gordon said, noting he specifically sought out the "wildest" dog in the shelter to take to the jail.

"He was neglected and now he is going from one jail to another. He needs a home with someone who is willing to work with him," Gordon said. Anyone with interest may call (513) 867-5005.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.