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."