SHERIFF'S OFFICE GETS NEW DRUG DOG

What may be "Lucky" to members of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office
could turn out to be far from it for area drug users, dealers and others
straying from the arm of the law.

"Lucky" is the newest member of the sheriff's office - a nearly 2-year-old
Belgian Malanois who was recently certified in narcotics detection,
apprehension and tracking.

Earlier this month, the Holland-born Lucky and his handler - sheriff's
deputy John Smith - gained their certification in those three areas during
an extensive four-week course at the Hill Country Dog Center in Pipe Creek,
approximately 50 miles northwest of San Antonio.

Through his training, Lucky, who has his own radio number, "525," within
the sheriff's office, is able to detect marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine
and heroin - four of the most commonly abused narcotics in the U.S.

"He's going to be a valuable asset to us," Anderson County Sheriff Greg
Taylor said of the newly-certified canine. "He's going to be able to detect
narcotics we might not otherwise be able to detect."

Lucky, who is 1 year, 9 months old, is a "passive alert" dog rather than
the "aggressive alert" type of dog utilized locally by some agencies in the
past.

"When he alerts on something," Taylor described, "he sits and points his
nose in the area he smells the substance."

Aggressive alert dogs, on the other hand, typically "scratch" and claw in
the area, potentially causing some damage and creating more liability for
their owner.

The sheriff also let it be known that Lucky is prone to take a bite out of
crime.

Literally.

"He will bite," Taylor said. "He's not a stop and bark dog."

Partially due to that aspect to his personality, the sheriff's newest
officer - all 87 pounds - will only be used for apprehension and tracking
in "felony situations," according to the sheriff.

"We would not want to send him to find an Alzheimer's patient or a missing
child," Taylor said. "He's not that kind of dog."

During an interview with the Herald-Press, Lucky was well behaved. He did
not bark, jump or cause any other type of disruption.

"He's got a good personality," Taylor said. "He's very well disciplined."

Taylor said the county is currently working on agreements with all seven
school districts in Anderson County which would enable Lucky to conduct
several visits a year, searching classrooms, lockers and parking lots for
illegal drugs.

"I believe he'll also be a deterrent in the schools," the sheriff stated.

Using funds from its Local Law Enforcement Block grant, the sheriff's
office purchased Lucky for $9,000 which included his four weeks of training.

Taylor said his agency is planning to use department funds, and perhaps
even private donations, to enhance Lucky's role with the department.

A ballistic vest - which retails for approximately $1,300 - is at the top
of Lucky's shopping list, according to Taylor. Such a vest would not only
protect the "officer" in the event of a shooting, but also a stabbing which
is a common way criminals attempt to injure or kill such police dogs, he added.