MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Police Department has two new dogs to add to the department’s K-9 Unit: “Dee” and “Richie”
They were showcased to the public Friday morning during a public exhibition of their skills.
“These dogs are trained in patrol,” said Steve Hornback, MPD patrol officer. “We use them for apprehension if we have to use them to apprehend a suspect, it’s either fighting us or fleeing from us. We reserve them for the most severe criminals.
“All of our dogs are also trained in Narcotics. It’s what we call dual-purpose. They are trained in marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroine, ecstasy and meth. They are also trained in tracking and evidence search. They can actually find it if they are tracking someone and they drop something.”
The dogs, all German Shepherds, originate from Europe with the exception of one and can cost between $5,500 and $7,000, Hornback told the crowd in the Youth Pavilion at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
When the K-9’s arrive, they are not trained. They only know how to sit and bite.
“Day to day training — usually we have them on leads (leashes) on each collar, sometimes we use an electric collar, but not so much on this class,” K-9 trainer and officer Sarah Mosier-Napier said. “It’s just repetition. Same thing everyday. We go to Clear Fork Reservoir for all of our tests. Training takes up to 12 weeks.”
Hornback added about 80 percent of what the dogs are used for is to detect narcotics.
During the presentation, the dogs showed their ability to sniff out drugs, sitting down near the drug later revealed as marijuana and chasing a tennis ball that was sprung out of the box. They also attacked mock criminals who were officers dressed in padded suits to demonstrate their bite.
MPD Chief Ken Coontz, who worked K-9 units before his current post, said without help and support from the community they would not be able to have a K-9 unit which plays a large role in helping officers stay safe in drastic moments.
“There are a lot of scenarios where we can send those police dogs in very hostile, uncomfortable environments so the police officer doesn’t walk in to an ambush. They truly do serve their purpose.”
