THE K9 CORPS

K9 is a homophone of the word "canine".  Dogs have been used as protectors ever since they were domesticated 12-15 thousand years ago.  Their natural instincts to work with and for the pack make them well suited when used in formal guard, detecting and tracking work.  Currently all nations use K9's in one form or another.  From police and military work to harbor and airport security to searching for contraband or used in rescue work a K9 of some form will be there.  They come in many breeds, temperaments and abilities.  Larger dogs are used for tracking and protection while almost any dog can be trained as detectors.  From tea cup poodles to Mastiffs, they all have the same predator instincts, excellent sense of smell and drive to follow the alpha male be it another dog or a human handler.

In very early times dogs were used by clans and tribes  to alert them of danger as well as an aide in hunting game.  As time went by their natural aggressive instincts were put to use in an offensive manner.  Early Romans used dogs, sometimes armored and with spiked collars, to charge into opposing forces.  Attila the Hun, Napoleon and Benjamin Franklin all used dogs as offensive and defensive elements in war.  They were also used as couriers, guards and transporting supplies.  Germany in 1884 established the first formal school for standardized training of support dogs.  They were trained in all disciplines i.e., guards, tracking, attacking and detection.  Over the years some groups found that it was easier and more economical to specialize in one or two disciplines.  To this day K9's normally have specialized functions.

There are passive and aggressive roles for K9's.  Tracking and take down of hostiles are usually left to the larger dogs such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois.  Detection can be done by almost any dog from Cocker Spaniel to Labradors.  Detection may include contraband of any sort and, most recently, cadaver and rescue dogs trained to search disaster areas for survivors or the dead.  Detector dogs are now ubiquitous at airports and harbors or wherever large amounts of cargo collect.  They most recently have been seen at the disastrous Haiti and Chile earthquakes.  The St. Bernard with the cask of brandy tied to its neck has become an icon. There is no denying that rescue dogs have saved many people trapped in rubble.  Detector dogs be they at airports, searching buildings or cars are a valuable asset in finding contraband.  Some are trained to scratch at a suspicious odor while others are taught to sit when something is detected.  A dogs olfactory neurons, if laid out on a table, can measure a yard by a yard.  In contrast a humans olfactory neurons would measure about an inch by an inch.  They may be a blessing in some cases.

Tracking dogs are trained to follow disruptions in the background odors found in all sites.  They will use the cone approach.  That entails sniffing a wide arc then narrowing the swath into a pinpoint were the target is found.  They can use the bark and hold technique to hold a subject until the handler arrives.  The K9 will stand or sit a few inches from the subject and continuously bark.  If the subject moves, the dog will too.  In some cases if there is a threat such as aggressiveness toward the dog or handler, the K9 will attack.  Unlike most domesticated dogs, they will bite and hold versus the typewriter nips most pets use.  Bite and hold causes less injury to the subject and keeps them contained until the handlers arrive.  K9's used in law enforcement are considered sworn officers.  An attack on a K9 is a felony in most states.  Thanks to there acute sense of smell, a K9 can search a building in less than half the time it would take for a team of officers to do the same job.  Unlike detector dogs, tracking K9's must be big and strong due to the nature of their work.  A Cocker Spaniel can find contraband but doesn't send quite the same message as a German Sheppard or Malinois.

All K9's are just plain dogs.  They like to play, be petted and romp around.  However, when they are on duty and under the control of their handlers, it is all business.  Their first priority is to protect their handler and will do so no holds barred.  Petting a K9 is fine but always talk to the handler first.

One of the first Police K9 programs was established in Baltimore in 1958.  In the 1960's the most common scene was snarling K9's used in the civil rights movement.  That had a negative impact on the K9 program thus it declined in popularity.  In the 1970's the program was refined using stricter guidelines and more intensive training for the handler and the dog.  They no longer are set loose on crowds or subjects but are under strict control in all situations.

THE BEND K9's 

Amor with his handler Officer Lotito	Zlatan with his handler Officer Supplee at a Community Gathering
Zlatan at speed	Zlatan - Demonstration at Citizen's Academy

The Bend Police Department has had a number of tracking dogs over the years.  Perhaps the most note able is Amor.  He epitomized the training and qualities of the K9's.  Under his handler, Officer Lotito, Amor tracked and found over 215 suspects including one hiding underwater.  He also tracked and found innumerable objects.  Bends dogs retire after 5-8 years of service.  The handlers normally keep their dogs but they can go to qualified families as they make excellent pets.

Currently Bend has one K9, Zlatan, working with his handler Officer Supplee.  Zlatan is a Belgian Malanois.  Another is being trained.  Bend does not have a drug dog but through good interagency cooperation, Bends tracking dogs, Redmond's and the Sheriff's detection dogs all back each other up.  Bends K9's are trained to respond to both verbal and non verbal commands.  They will only respond to their handlers.  They are trained in tracking, bark and hold and bite and hold.  Like all trackers, Bends K9's follow a disturbed scent meaning scents or disturbances out of the background norms including the fear scent.  Using the cone technique they can hone in on a subject or object.  They can hear at 75 feet what humans can hear at 15 feet.  By moving their ears they can pinpoint where a sound is coming from.  Their peripheral vision is 80 degrees better than humans however they depend on their sense of smell for distances greater than 50 feet.

Bend's K9 handlers are regular street officers.  Their dogs stay with them at all times.  When not on assignment, the officer/handler performs general street patrol and responds to dispatched calls.

K9's are not cheap.  Initial cost to purchase a K9 is around $9,500.00.  Monthly expenses for food, medical checkups and equipment can average over $400.00 per month.  Though initially trained, handlers must go through a training course with their dog of over a month.  K9 units must be certified by the Oregon State Police Canine Association and requailify once a year.  To help offset these costs, especially during the current economic downturn, donations are gratefully accepted.  Contact Officer Lotito at 541-322-2960.

These highly trained and intelligent K9 teams can be seen at work during the Central Oregon K9 Trials.  They will be held at Mt. View High School on 5 June 2010.  One caution, do not bring a dog along to "meet" the K9 dogs.  It's like oil and water.  Both are liquids but there is a distinct separation.