Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 Source: The Southeast Missourian (MO) Copyright: 2001, Southeast Missourian Contact: http://www.semissourian.com/opinion/speakout/submit/ Website: http://www.semissourian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322 Author: The Associated Press WATERBORNE PATROL DOG SNIFFS OUT DRUGS ON THE LAKE OF THE OZARK LAKE OZARK, Mo. -- A friendly, 40-pound canine is helping the Missouri Water Patrol sniff out and stop drug activity on the Lake of the Ozarks. The English spaniel, named Rikky, and Water Patrolman Eric Smith hit the water in late April and have had more business since the start of the summer boating season. "So far we've done about nine searches with Rikky," Smith said recently. "Three of those searches have resulted in charges." While larger dogs like German shepherds are often used in drug searches, Smith picked a spaniel in the belief that a friendly breed would make his efforts more productive. And, he said, his hunch has been borne out as boat owners grant permission for Rikky to come aboard. "That's one reason we wanted a passive dog rather than an aggressive one," Smith said. "So far, people have been very receptive to him." Once consent is given, Rikky scampers aboard. He is certified to detect marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and ecstasy in amounts as small as two grams. True to the nature of pointer dogs, Rikky doesn't scratch or claw at a spot where he detects something. Instead, he sits and stares at the spot. The team's first arrest took place in Party Cove, a section of the sprawling lake where masses of boats gather. "It was a normal boat stop and it appeared as though dope was being passed around for different people on the vessel to smoke," Smith said. After the occupants consented to let Rikky snoop around, the dog turned out marijuana and two marijuana cigarettes. Rikky also works on land. On June 12, according to a Camdenton Police Department report, a passenger in a speeding car being pursued by police tossed a large plastic bag into a ditch. Smith was nearby and sent Rikky into the brush to find the discarded bag. "In just a few minutes Rikky alerted on the bag, full of pot," Smith said. So far, the team's work has been privately funded. An unnamed corporation and various lake-area crime watch groups have helped defray the initial $10,000 start-up cost. The annual expense of veterinary bills, food and miscellaneous equipment is about $800 per year. Purina Foods of St. Louis supplies Rikky's food and veterinarian Eric Tiche volunteers medical services. "The Coast Guard Auxiliary bought him a life jacket," Smith said. "The Morgan County Sheriff's Department is supplying us with one of their extra pagers for when we're on call. This is really turning into a lakewide community effort." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager