Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jan 2005
Source: San Mateo County Times, The (CA)
Copyright: 2005, MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
Contact: 
http://www.sanmateocountytimes.com/Stories/0,1413,87%257E2524%257E,00.html
Website: http://www.sanmateocountytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/392
Author: Tara Ramroopsan, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

PACO 'EM-BARKS' ON RETIREMENT

AFTER just a month with the Police Department, Paco took down a robber
at the downtown Starbucks.

He was invaluable in more than 300 search and seizures throughout his
career, following his nose to drugs such as opium and, one time, 7
pounds of marijuana.

So it's about time for him to finally take a breather, said his
partner/handler Detective Scott Miller.

Paco, one of two hefty German Shepherd police dogs, is retiring after
a lifetime of 11-hour days fighting crime. He was officially honored
Tuesday with a commendation from the City Council, and enthusiastic
applause from his Police Department colleagues and grateful
constituents.

Hailing from Germany and bred as a police dog, Paco was shipped over
to California in 1997 and partnered with Miller after a month of
training classes in Menlo Park.

He, like the city's other police dog Hercules, spent his career
patrolling the streets and sniffing for drugs. But contrary to popular
belief, not every police dog has what it takes to ascend to narcotics
detection, Miller said. Paco's playful disposition made him the
perfect candidate, even when criminals used Tabasco sauce or fabric
softener to mask the drug odor.

"You have to turn it into a game," said Miller, who has lived with
Paco the entire time they worked together.

"He finds the drugs and gets rewarded with food or a toy. If the dog
just doesn't have the high play drive, he's probably not going to work."

Paco can put that play drive to good use now that he'll be lounging at
Miller's house all day with his favorite toys. But Miller predicts his
police instinct won't fade anytime soon.

"He's really pretty mellow, but the training will always be with him,"
Miller said.

Funds aren't set aside specifically for the city's K-9 program, said
police Lt. Tom Daughtry, so the department pays for medical and
boarding expenses as they come up.

During last year's tough financial times, the city was forced to cut
positions after employees retired. But according to Daughtry, that's
not the case with Paco's retirement.

An outpouring of community donations from businesses and individuals
- -- Daughtry couldn't estimate how much came in -- helped the
department buy two new dogs who are in training.

They'll soon join Hercules in the field, according to police Capt.
Kevin Raffaelli. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake