Police praise canine crime fighters
Use defended in wake of 2 dogs' deaths

By Shannon Womble
Times-Union staff writer

Simon and Zor, 2-year-old German shepherds, play with a PVC pipe on a steamy Thursday afternoon.

They think it's playtime, but in reality the two canines are learning to sniff out drugs.

''It's all a big game to them,'' said veteran handler and Jacksonville police Officer Blair Twigg. ''We treat these dogs like family.''

In the wake of two police dog shootings in Jacksonville in the past month and a request from an animal rights activist to stop using the dogs in deadly situations, the officers and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office administration continue to stand behind their use of four-legged patrol officers.

''I think the quality of the officer that we have in here and our training program gives us one of the best units in the country,'' said Sgt. Paul Butler. ''We maintain a constant training program.''

Each day, canine officers and their dogs take time out to review training scenarios.

 

Kazan, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office police dog, models a bulletproof vest, which Jacksonville officials say they'll reconsider using. -- Special

''There's no secret to what we do,'' Twigg said. ''We train every day. We're always training in public. People can stop by and watch us all the time.''

Right now the canine unit has 16 dogs working the streets, but two new dogs arrived in Jacksonville on Wednesday. The dogs will replace Quanto and Titan, both fatally shot in the line of duty, after they undergo a 10-week patrol school and either narcotic or bomb detection classes.

Jacksonville's canine force is currently made up of male dogs, said officials, who said females are usually kept for breeding.

Officials said despite public perception, officers don't rely on dogs for their teeth but for their noses. Dogs are able to track people, drugs and explosives keenly.

The police dogs are trained to bite only on command given by their handler.

And the handlers are thoroughly trained, too. Canine officers undergo an interview and physical agility test just to be selected for the unit. During the 10-week training with their dogs, officers must learn hundreds of pages of case law and dog psychology, write term papers and pass comprehensive tests.

Once a month the officers are spot-checked by the unit's head trainer to make sure the team is performing properly.

''These dogs are taken care of better than most people take care of their house pets,'' said Steve Birdsong, a Flagler County deputy. He's training his first canine partner, Zor, with the Jacksonville canine unit.

Each canine car is equipped with a special cage for the dog that includes a rubber mat to prevent slipping, and a fan. All canine squad cars have heat alarms designed to alert officers when the car becomes too hot for the dog.

 

Flagler County Deputy Steve Birdsong prepares to release Simon during a training exercise with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. -- Rick Wilson/Staff

Every hour the dogs get a chance to run, play and grab a drink of water.

''We spend more time with our dogs than we do with our families,'' Jacksonville police Officer Rob Troxel said. He's undergoing narcotic training with his second canine partner, Simon. His first dog, who was shot two years ago by a carjacking suspect, is being retired after five years with the department.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office pays for the dogs' food, veterinary bills and shelter. Butler said the department spends roughly $2,000 per year per dog.

''They eat about 40 pounds of dog food a month,'' Troxel said, ''and the occasional Milk-Bone [dog biscuit] if they have bad breath.''

Twigg, one of three assistant dog trainers with the department, said he began training police dogs during his military career. He said he's used to criticism of canine police programs, but thinks the concern is unfounded.

He said the dogs are trained for every possible scenario and are used only in dangerous situations.

Police administrators said they will reconsider whether to outfit the dogs with bulletproof vests, but handlers aren't sure the plan would be feasible.

''The heat is really bad and we have five dogs that work the day shift,'' Twigg said. ''I'm not saying it's a bad idea. . . . I'm just wondering exactly how the dogs would handle it.''

When the department last evaluated bulletproof vests for dogs, the suits weighed 15 pounds.

Kay Timmerman, a proponent of the vests and operator of an animal rescue shelter, said the new 5-pound vests take only 30 seconds to put on a dog.

''They can be used, and they will help,'' she said. Timmerman plans to show off the new vests to Jacksonville police officials soon.