Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 Source: Tullahoma News (TN) Copyright: The Tullahoma News 2004 Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=49033&BRD=1614&PAG=461&dept_id=161070& Website: http://www.tullahomanews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2031 Author: Rita Bauer 'ONYX' IS KEY PLAYER IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS IN COFFEE COUNTY COFFEE COUNTY - If there's a tiny amount of marijuana hidden anywhere, whether it's tucked in the lining of a shoe or inside a big book stashed beneath clutter in a school locker, "Onyx" will find it. He'll find it fast and he'll find it every time, making the four-year-old German Shepherd a key player in the battle against drugs in Coffee County. Onyx works full time for the Coffee County Sheriff's Department on the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift with his partner of the past two-and-a-half years, K-9 handler, Deputy Danny Ferrell. Onyx is trained to detect the odors of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. He and Ferrell stay on-call 24 hours a day to respond to any law enforcement situation involving narcotics, including providing assistance to both the Tullahoma and Manchester police departments and the District Attorney's special Drug Task Force Unit. In 2003, Onyx worked on between 200 to 500 cases, ranging from simple possession to large narcotics racketeering, Ferrell said. Onyx and Deputy Ferrell worked several 12-hour shifts throughout last summer's three-day Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester and were involved with most all of the drug arrests made there. "He's the best weapon we've got as far as drug enforcement," Capt. Rodney Banks said. Onyx received his original training at a sheriff's department in Tipton, Ga. His commands were taught in German, which Ferrell had to learn to be his handler. As part of annual re-certification requirements mandated by the National Narcotics Drug Dog Detectors Association and the United States Police Canine Association, Deputy Ferrell provides at least 16 hours a month additional training for Onyx by placing drugs, or a "hide," in cars or empty boxes for him to find. Ferrell also stages building searches where drugs are hidden in drawers or closets, and school searches by placing the "hide" in lockers or inside desks and duffel bags. Onyx consistently performs with near perfection. Although he is dedicated and obsessed with his work, part of the reason he's so good at it is due purely to genetics. "Dogs have a much keener sense of smell than humans do. They can detect much smaller quantities of drugs than humans," Ferrell said. "As part of his training, I'll take a piece of marijuana, a 'blunt' about the size of the tip of a pencil, and put it inside the office copier machine and he'll find it." Onyx is intelligent and obedient. He doesn't have to be mean to do his work, and has never bitten anybody since he's been Ferrell's partner. It's a result of what Ferrell calls "passive training." "When he finds a 'hide' he'll get all excited, then he'll just sit there. He'll freeze; he doesn't scratch or damage cars. "He's well-mannered, not an aggressive dog, and his 'alert' is sitting down," Ferrell said. "Throughout the year, I'll go to different schools and explain to kindergartners, first, and second graders how the dog works, and then afterward, I'll let them pet him. "I play with him quite a bit but I don't let other officers play with him, and I don't let anyone pet him when he's searching a vehicle or otherwise working. The only time he gets distracted is when there are other dogs around. He's very territorial," Ferrell said. Onyx is also very protective - of Ferrell, the patrol car they ride in, and also Ferrell's wife and children. When Ferrell takes Onyx home every day after work, Onyx becomes a pet like any other dog. "He's real good at home," Ferrell said. "I never have any problems out of him, but then, I take good care of him, too. "Every night we'll play, and then when I put him in the car, I'll tell him it's time to go to work and he knows. "Anytime I'm working, he's in the car with me. When I'm on duty, he's on duty, too," he added. Ferrell hopes that Onyx will have a permanent place in the back seat of his patrol car. Sheriff Steve Graves, who has consistently praised the good work of dogs within the department, has assured him that he will. The two obviously make a successful team. "I've always liked dogs and always wanted to work with one," Ferrell said. "He's a good partner and companion. "He listens to me. If I'm in a bad mood or not feeling very good, that runs right down through the leash to him and he senses it. He makes my job a whole lot easier." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom