Tracking Dogs
thb973 writes
As much as we request the Appalachee Correctional Institute to use their “Tracking Dogs” wouldn’t it be quicker and more resourceful to have our own tracking dogs for Decatur County and City usage? I know training cost money but seems would save at least a hour on every time they track someone? Could we use some of the K9 units that we already have ? Or is it true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
I have no idea how much it cost to hire the Appalachee Dogs to come in to track, but I did look up information on the National Police Dog Foundation site and also Dogs South K-9 In Jesup, GA.
What I did learn is that one dog can cost up to $8,000.00 and then there is training which can cost up to $15,000.00 and most departments do not have large enough budgets to work with to support the specialized unit. On the various websites that training the K-9’s it was mentioned that typically Corporations donate dogs. They need specialized food for their diets as they are so active, vet bills etc. How many dogs come up to track? 4-5?
I think there are a few K-9’s with the sheriff’s department? I thought I have seen 1 or 2 cars marked with K-9 on it. I don’t know what their duties are, I thinking drugs as I remember seeing a long hair retriever going into one of the houses a few months back in June on this site.
Sorry, I just tossed all this together quickly as it caught my eye and I love Police dogs. I grew up with German Shepards and our alpha male was a retired K-9, they are phenomenal dogs.
Comment by Jweiss — October 13, 2009 @ 4:40 pmI know it cost money, but what about when someone robs a bank? or takes someones life? Is that not worth the extra cash it takes to get the dog so we have a better chance of catching the crook, before he gets a hour or more head start? I just thought if a small town like Sneads had this service, why couldnt we?
Comment by thb973 — October 19, 2009 @ 10:24 amI think it sounds good and I understand your wondering. I think there is alot more to it than just getting a few dogs in. Also is 45 mins to get the dogs here really that much time? I don’t know the correct answer to that. The area is usually secured to preserve the scene for the dogs to have the best possible conditions to track. Who would have the dogs? DCCI, Sheriff’s dept, BPS. There is grant money available for dogs but what criteria is required? Would Decatur then offer the dogs out to neighboring counties. I suppose we can kick ideas and opinions around but in my opinion if you want some real answers the best way is to follow up with the various law enforcement agencies and ask them. I can almost bet you they have discussed it and/or thought of it themselves as they are the ones calling in the dogs.
Comment by Jweiss — October 20, 2009 @ 9:24 amBack some time ago, my husband and I raised bloodhounds which had a championship pedigree (our male’s grandfather was the top crime dog in Chicago, and helped assist in the rescue attempts at the WTC in 2001 after the attack). We called Public Safety to see if they would be interested in one (we actually told them that we would donate one of the pups if they would have it trained), but they said that they no longer had the kennels - Due to budget cuts, that was where the belt had been tightened.
I think that for now, until the economy strengthens, using the ACI’s dogs is a good alternative if it means we can keep people in jobs. Hopefully, in the near future we will see the K9 unit come back to Decatur County.
Comment by Country Lady — October 21, 2009 @ 7:16 amWe don’t need tracking dogs…We need to get a handle on crime! Plain and simple! Wake up people!
Comment by justonevoice — October 21, 2009 @ 4:39 pmI had also heard we no longer had a kennel, but we do currently have K-9 dogs here but the Officer houses the dogs at their personal homes I believe. I think this develops a stronger bond between the Dog and Officer though. Couldn’t we do the same way with tracking dogs? I mean What is the cost of a kennel? A concrete slab, dog houses, and fencing? And of course a few trees for shade? I think it could create a couple jobs here in Decatur County.
Comment by thb973 — October 22, 2009 @ 8:27 amMost of what I have heard in dealings with other law enforcement agencies in the past is one officer has and keeps the dog. The officer would finish the dogs training with the dog at the training facility and then the dog would only respond to that officer. This limits the dogs confusion in the field when several officers are in a foot chase, etc.. The dog goes to the officers home with him and lives with them. This cuts down on response time.
Comment by climaxian — October 28, 2009 @ 11:56 amThe way the crime rate is going up and the employment is going down this seeems like a very good time for the county to invest in this. I say the county because the county would respond in the city, where the city might get a politician with a power issue and refuse to respond into the county.
County makes better sense because of jurisdiction.
Comment by Jweiss — October 28, 2009 @ 9:26 pmWell, I would like to add that I believe that K-9’s would benefit BPS also for patrol. Those dogs are like having a human counterpart for most situations and over all cost is much more effective, considering budget restraints.
Comment by Jweiss — October 29, 2009 @ 7:06 amI was under the impression that BPS has a K-9. A bloodhound is a different service animal for a different use. I dont think you can get a german shepard for human scent tracking.
Comment by climaxian — October 31, 2009 @ 7:17 amyes, german shepard in additon to belgian shepards, border collies, golden or labradors retrievers, to all track human scent. In addition, all of these types of dogs make great SAR dogs also (SAR=search and rescue)
Comment by Jweiss — November 2, 2009 @ 1:42 pmUse the drug money collected to get a dog and have it trained.Sell the vehicles taken also and use that money.
I have seen where they use inmates to train seeing eye,and handicapped assisting dogs.Why not let them train k-9 to search Humans?
Comment by Sweetjanice39897 — November 2, 2009 @ 8:39 pmBack in cool hand Luke days there were blood hounds for when someone run off.Used to be that way out at the farm.County farm that is.Didn’t cost no fortune to buy or train.
Comment by metlsmith — November 2, 2009 @ 11:43 pmI think it would be a great idea, and like others have said I belive it would be cheaper than paying an extra officer and probably more beneficial since we have so many officers. We could probably stand to have two of these dogs, and It could create a couple jobs as mentioned or the inmates could have a part as said?
Comment by thb973 — November 7, 2009 @ 9:04 am