POOCH PATROLS

Hunting Down Suspects, Sniffing Out Drugs, Local K-9 Units Strengthen Law
Enforcement

Picture a lawbreaker staring justice in the face as it races toward him on
four feet, with justice grinning all the way. That's no grin. It's the
countenance of a trained member of the K-9 force about to -- literally --
put the bite on crime.

To the comfort of residents and discomfort of those who break the law, the
local law enforcement effort includes 12 special K-9 dogs trained for
police work ranging from hunting down suspects to sniffing out drugs and
explosives. It's an area of specialization that has earned the community's
admiration and gratitude.

Columbian writer Dave Kern's in-depth story on these highly trained police
dogs received page one treatment on Dec. 29, under the startling headline:
"Suspects Be Warned ... When he finds you, he'll bite you."

The story detailed the extensive training of the dogs and their handlers,
and the bond between them. Through training, two of the handlers and their
dogs "are suspended on heavy ropes beneath a helicopter and dropped into
marijuana fields," according to Kern's story. Some of the K-9 dogs live
with handlers and their families.

Most of the animals are German Shepherds. They are working dogs,
reflecting the true sense of dedication. Battle Ground officer Rick Kelly
and his dog, Basco, have been together since March, 2008, and worked on
more than 50 incidents, including captures and drug finds. Hans, who works
with Clark County Deputy Sheriff Ed Bylsma, is one of the county's two
SWAT dogs. The team worked on about 200 incidents in 2008.

Another Clark County Deputy, Alan Earhart, works with Akbar, the dog that
took down Ronald Chenette, who shot and killed the Vancouver police dog
Dakota on Oct. 23, 2007. Dakota and his handler, Vancouver Police officer
Roger Evans, were searching for Chenette, who was armed and threatened to
kill police. "Facing a steep gully that would have been difficult for the
two-legged officer to navigate," according to a Columbian story by
Stephanie Rice, "Dakota was sent in. Soon, officers heard a shot."

Chenette, 39, of Brush Prairie, was convicted by a Clark County Superior
Court jury of killing the dog. The jury deliberated for two hours.
Chenette will be sentenced Jan. 30, and will likely spend the rest of his
life in prison; shooting Dakota was his "third strike," or serous felony
crime.

The law enforcement community correctly respects the trained K-9 officers
as a crime-fighting asset, and reveres the dogs' special ability to detect
evidence and suspects beyond human capability.

Dakota is the fifth canine listed of 11 on a national Web site titled,
"Officer Down Police K9 Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty."

A sculpture of Dakota, a dog that had 150 narcotics finds and 100 suspect
captures during two years of service, was created out of a four-ton piece
of hard, black basalt rock by Mark McLean of Milwaukie, Ore. The sculpture
is permanently located at the Vancouver Police Department's East Precinct,
520 SE 155 Ave. in Cascade Park.

A press release prepared by Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp at the
time of Dakota's death declared that the police department was saddened by
the death of Dakota, "and truly appreciates the outpouring of support from
the community at this difficult time." Reaction from the community
included monetary donations for Dakota's replacement. That backing is
fully justified. The dogs and their handlers help keep this community
safe. When the dogs act to nail a suspect, they are putting real teeth
into the law, with great effect.