There’s nothing like a friendly competition to get people working on their job skills. And which job skills could be more important to the war on drugs than those of man’s best friend: the K-9 dog!
There was a statewide drug detection competition in Meridian, and a police dog from Ada County won. What surprised a lot of people was that the handler, Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Lowry, had only been working with Nina for two weeks. They had only been on patrol for five days. This goes to show that they learned to communicate quickly and well, and thus were deserving of the prize.
They won first prize, leading the pack of 40 dogs and handlers from across the state. The dogs were tested for their speed and accuracy and their handlers were judged on “handling skills” and their ability to understand what their dogs were telling them.
These dogs, and their handlers, are trained extensively in places such as Tarheel Canine Training, Inc. over in North Carolina. This particular Institute’s slogan says, “When citizens get in trouble, they call the cops. When cops get in trouble, they call K9.”
Classes are generally small, and all the dogs and handlers are carefully selected. Handlers have to learn to understand their dogs, and study to be equipped to handle whatever scenario presents itself out on the street.
Handlers now study such subjects as detection science, interdiction (confronting so as to forbid or halt illegal activities,) explosives technology, chemistry and recognition, patrol tactics, arrest techniques, and K9 care and first aid.
Besides working with law enforcement, there is a growing trend for K-9 dogs to be used by “regular citizens” as well. Over in Maryland, an agency advertises that for $200/hour they will bring their dogs to your home or school or business and detect whether there are any illegal drugs there. Some businesses and federal agencies are also getting on board with wanting to hire these helpers.
It’s good to know that Ada County stepped up and earned the reward this year. Next year the others will have to try just a little bit harder.
