POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 33 They’re furry friendly and can smell someone a mile away. After a $150,000 community f u n d - r a i s e r, Cape Breton Regional Police introduced the four newest members of the force, four-footed crime fighters who will eventually sniff out missing children and seniors, crime scene evidence and later, bombs and drugs. The purebred German shepherds –– which cost $7,000 each –– were imported from the Czech Republic and Hungary this week to begin a 14-week training program with four local officers. Constables Steve Gillis, Reg Hutchings, Steve MacKinnon and Paul MacDonald will be the handlers for the force’s first official K-9 unit.Retired Toronto police officer Richard Fackrell, who is training the team, said the dogs –– the oldest of which is 18 months –– have already shown an aptitude for obedience, the first obstacle when training any dog. “They will be trained in seven or eight different aspects of police work, obedience first because if you don’t have obedience, you don’t have control,” Mr. Fackrell told a small gathering of police and community officials as the dogs sat and watched. “They will then be taught agility and how to jump... All dogs can jump, but they have to know they only jump when we tell them to –– like some of your officers, Chief,” he said, getting a few chuckles from Chief Edgar MacLeod and other officials. Mr. Fackrell said the dogs will then be taught to sniff out objects, then to track human scent. The next step is to train them to go into the woods to track and subdue people without biting them unless they turn and run, then how to find people hiding in buildings. “We teach them to bark and hold, not bite and hold,” he said. “If (a thief) doesn’t stop running, (police) will send the dog, and (the criminal) would be taken down.... If someone attacks the handler or the dog, the dog will react immediately without command.... If the bad guy decides to give up, the dog will stand off and bark at him. “They have to be sociable,” he added, “...because they have to go looking for missing children and the elderly too.” He said dog trainers have timed searches by sending three people into the woods to hide, then 10 other people to look for them without success in a specific time. But with dogs, it took only minutes to find them all. “Their noses are invaluable,” he said. Local businessmen Kirk McRae and Tom MacPherson helped collect funds in the community fundraiser. “Some thought it would be a very difficult task to raise the money in the community, but as you can see, we’re here today with four dogs,” Insp. Myles Burke said proudly. There were also 9,000 entries received from schools in a contest to name the dogs. The winning names have been selected, but the winners have yet to be notified. Names of the winners and dogs will be announced soon. Const. Paul MacDonald said he likes the newest family member, who will accompany him at work and live in his home. “The dog is a really good dog,” he said as he stroked its head. “Having a police dog, I have to say, is a priceless thing when you’re trying to locate people.... It’s going to pay big dividends.” Const. Reg Hutchings said having the dog is like having a new child in the family, and he looks forward to getting to know his new partner better. “It takes dedication at work and at home,” he said. “This is my fifth day with him ... and there’s that much of a bond with him already.” New vehicles with air conditioning have been purchased, and kennels built at each officer’s home. Food for the dogs has been donated for the next couple of years. In 1996, the force temporarily had a dog unit but because of budget constraints, the dog was retired, and the officer reassigned. COP DOGS By Tera Camus Cape Breton Bureau Kirk McRae, who operates several local Subways, gives a little affection to one of four police dogs he helped obtain for the Cape Breton Regional Police’s new canine unit. Const. Steve MacKinnon will be one of the animals’ handlers. TERA CAMUS/Cape Breton Bureau Cape Breton Regional Police introduced the force’s new canine unit. Shown with their new partners are constables Reg Hutchings, Steve MacKinnon, Paul McDonald and Kevin Gillis. TERA CAMUS/Cape Breton Bureau
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==