POLICE DOG SNIFFS OUT CAMPUS CRIME

The University of New Mexico has a hairy, four-legged weapon against campus
crime -- Zeke the drug dog. Zeke and his partner, Sgt. Victor Hernandez,
have been taking a bite out of crime since January.

Hernandez said UNM is one of a dozen campuses nationwide to have a K-9
unit, and the only one in New Mexico.

"He's come in handy a lot, he really has," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said Zeke is most valuable in drug searches. He discovered 5
ounces of marijuana in a vehicle's engine block his first night.

He also aids in building searches, which can be time-consuming in large
university buildings. Police must search a building every time an alarm
goes off.

"He saves us a lot of time," Hernandez said.

Zeke, a 4-year-old, gray-and-black Belgian Malinois, rides in the back of
Hernandez's K-9 unit car. He has a blanket and food and water bowls, and
his name adorns the car's sides. When making public appearances, Zeke wears
a police badge around his neck.

Belgian Malinois, commonly used as police and guard dogs, are known for
being highly intelligent and strong.

"A college campus is a very good place for a dog," said Kathy Guimond,
UNM's police chief. "A dog just has capabilities where officers don't."

The department has made more drug arrests since Zeke started, Hernandez
said, and Zeke's presence has been a good deterrent against crime on campus.

Zeke and Hernandez sometimes wait outside fraternity houses after parties
to make sure nothing happens. When people see the dog they are less likely
to start fighting, Hernandez said.

Guimond said it is important to have a police dog that is approachable. She
said Zeke made an appearance at the New Mexico State Fair, and people's
response was positive.

However, at Zeke's next public appearance he'll have more to offer than his
shiny coat.

Hernandez will start handing out trading cards featuring him and Zeke. The
cards will have a picture of the two and will describe their activities.

Police trading cards aren't new, Hernandez said, adding that the Santa Fe
Police Department has cards bearing officers' likenesses.

Hernandez trains with Zeke every week, and they cover evidence recovery,
drug detection and obedience. Hernandez has plenty of time to train with
Zeke because the two live together, which is normal for K-9 units.

Hernandez said Zeke is a certified narcotics dog, and must be re-certified
every year.

He said Zeke can smell almost any kind of illegal drug, and once sniffed
out crack cocaine in a lip balm jar.

Lt. James Daniels said the cost of starting the K-9 unit was about $6,500,
which included puchasing Zeke and training Hernandez and Zeke.