Pubdate: Tue, 26 Dec 2006
Source: Paris News (TX)
Copyright: 2006 Paris News
Contact:  http://www.theparisnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/997
Author: Shalina Ramirez, The Paris News

NEW K-9 UNIT ASSISTS RED RIVER CO.

CLARKSVILLE -- A desire to  take a more proactive approach to illegal 
drug activity  has prompted the Red River County Sheriff's Department 
to form a K-9 Unit.

The unit consists of three dogs handled by Deputies  Mike Kelley and 
Brian Hamric.

"With the problem that everyone is having with drugs --  particularly 
methamphetamine -- we felt a K-9 unit was  among the necessary tools 
that we didn't have," Sheriff  Terry Reed said. "It would be a more 
effective approach  in getting drugs and narcotics off the street."

The unit began to take shape with the hiring of Kelley,  a 
certificate canine instructor from Fannin County, in  September.

"They told me I could bring my dogs and get the drugs  off the 
street," Kelley said, "and that's what I want  to do."

Kelley owns Kaiser and Tusk, two German Shepherds  skilled in 
narcotics, apprehension, tracking and  cadaver recovery.

"Basically they've only been on the street a couple of  weeks," Reed 
said. "Mike came on board as a trainer and  has dogs. Brian just got 
back from school. We also  purchased a dog for the start of the program.

"They're just getting to where we can use them to their  full potential."

Kaiser is a 5-year-old, almost black in color. Tusk is  a 3-year-old 
female with the traditional black and tan  saddle pattern associated 
with German Shepherds.

"Tusk is more into finding people than narcotics,"  Kelley said. "But 
as far as narcotics go, she favors  finding marijuana while Kaiser 
prefers  methamphetamine."

However, it is Kaiser who is credited with discovering  8 pounds of 
marijuana as well as recovering one  cadaver.

Kelley described both canines as "friendly lap dogs."

The third member of the K-9 unit is a 3-year-old yellow  lab named 
Hank. He is handled by Hamric.

Hank is trained in narcotics and was purchased by  donations from the 
Little Rock K-9 Academy in Arkansas.

Reed explained fliers were distributed to area  businesses and civic 
group to raise funds for the K-9  unit.

"We raised $1,000 in donations to buy Hank," Reed said.  "Everybody 
expressed the desire to have a K-9 unit and  we're appreciative of 
the support."

Other costs associated with a K-9 unit include food,  vet bills, 
insurance and minor equipment for the three  dogs.

"Basically, we want to have -- in the next year -- a  self-sufficient 
K-9 unit where they are solely  supported by revenue generated by 
drug seizures. That  way taxpayers aren't out any money."

The K-9 unit will be available to the Clarksville and  Bogata police 
departments and possibly other counties.

"By doing this, I hope people realize we see the drug  problem that's 
there," Reed said, "and we're trying to  take a proactive approach to it."

The K-9 unit plans to maintain a high level of  visibility by making 
public appearances to area schools  and civic groups.

"We want them to be more than a policing tool." Reed  said. "We want 
them to be a community tool."

Kaiser and Tusk are accustomed to conducting public  demonstrations 
with Kelley and enjoy meeting local  children.

"I've been doing this for four years and I love every  minute of it," 
the officer said. "I wouldn't give it up  for anything, especially 
getting to work with kids.  That's my favorite part of working with canines."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine