February 27, 2014 Volume 4 • Issue 16 75 cents Send community news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
LAW ENFORCEMENT
More paws on the ground Sheriff’s Office adds second dog to K-9 Unit By Ryne Dittmer The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has had a few more feet on the ground lately. Four to be exact. They belong to Ram, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois and the newest member of the department’s K-9 Unit. Ram began his service with the sheriff’s office alongside handler Deputy A.J. Carrel earlier this winter. “I got him when he was 15 months old,” Carrel said. “He was imported from Poland, and I got him in November.” After a short acclimation period, Ram and Carrel completed a seven-week training course at MidMichigan Kennels, where Ram was trained in locating narcotics, tracking individuals and providing officer protection. “He is trained to identify five different odors of narcotics. They also spent several hours of training on teaching how to track,” Carrel said. At the end of the course, Ram had developed his
Carrel said. “It’s his favorite thing. It is what I give him when he finds drugs or does what I tell him. If I don’t have the tennis ball, he won’t work for me.” Ram is now the second member of the department’s K-9 Unit, joining Matty, who has served since summer 2010. His addition to the unit was made possible through a fundraising campaign supported by area businesses, organizations and individuals. “The K-9 Unit is such a valuable asset,” said Sheriff’s Office Lt. Will Akin. “We reached out to the community last year, and we were able to collect enough money to pay for Ram and the training.” Akin said a service dog can cost from $6,000 to $12,000, depending on where the dog is imported from and the training it receives. Through the campaign, the sheriff’s departRyne Dittmer/Staff Photo ment was able to secure Clay County Sheriff’s Office Deputy A.J. Carrel introduces Ram, the department’s newest K-9 Unit member, to a group of stu- the funds for Ram and to dents at Alexander Doniphan Elementary School in Liberty on Jan. 31. Ram, who was brought to the United States from Poland acquire up to two more last November, is trained to locate narcotics, track individuals and provide officer protection. Ram is the second member of the dogs. Akin said the department has a goal of adding a department’s K-9 Unit. third dog this year. A typical service dog tracking skills and learned practice frequently during finds something, he’ll sit his deployments. On those a series of 12 commands, Ram’s short tenure with down and stare at what he occasions, Carrel rewards will work for seven to Ram with his favorite pos- eight years. wants me to check.” which in reference to Clay County. While not on duty, Ram According to Carrel, Ram session, a tennis ball. “I’ve deployed him probthe dog’s heritage, Carrel “That’s his drive. He delivers in Polish. The ably 40 times, and that’s has successfully located training has been put into a lot,” Carrel said. “If he narcotics on 85 percent of works for a tennis ball,” K-9/Page A5
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