FIND THE STASH, ROVER

Drug Dogs Compete In Drumheller

Airdrie Echo - Drug dogs from across Canada met up in Drumheller last
week to demonstrate their sensational sniffing abilities.

The two-day training event - coordinated by Drumheller Institution -
was the first of its kind for Correction Canada's prairie region,
which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories
and northwest Ontario.

"We set up a course for them," said Bob Lytle, assistant warden of
Drumheller Institution. "They did very well."

Drugs were hidden in kitchen and office settings, as well as in
vehicles and the 10 dogs who took part were commanded to sniff them
out.

"When they find drugs, they sit down," Lytle said, adding that this
behaviour signals the dog's handler that something suspicious has been
located.

And then it's time for a reward.

"The dog doesn't care about drugs - they want the praise," Lytle
added.

Drug dogs have been used at Drumheller Institution for more than seven
years as part of a drug prevention program, Lytle said, adding that
the national drug dog program for institutions is three years old.

The dogs - typically German short-haired pointers, Labradors and
Golden Retrievers - and their handlers attend a 10-week training
program in Quebec.

In 2000, Drumheller Institution became one of five institutions to
implement a program offering a supportive environment for those
offenders wishing to free themselves of exposure to drugs and alcohol.

In addition to having one drug dog on staff, Drumheller Institution
also uses X-ray and ion scanning technology to keep drugs out of the
facility.

"Drugs are a problem in prison, as they are in society," he said.
"Because we are quite successful at keeping them out, there is a high
price for (drugs) in prison." Lytle is hopeful that last week's
inaugural training event will be the first of many.

"It was so successful, I really hope and believe that there will be
more in this area," he said.

Help name police puppies

The RCMP is asking for help naming 10 German Shepherd puppies which
will grow up to be crimefighters.

Therefore, they need crimefighting names and police are asking for
children' s suggestions.

"Tell them to think about if they were a police officer and had to
call on their dog - they are not going to call their dog Pooky," said
Inspector Lawrence Aimoe. "No officer will name their dog that."

Entrants must be under 16-years-old and follow these
requirements:

. start with a P;

. have nine letters or less; and

. have no more than two syllables.

"(Starting with a P) is for Canadian kennel association rules for
naming dogs," Aimoe said. "The shorter (the name) the better because
they have to respond immediately."

To enter, print your name, age, address, phone number and suggested
puppy name on a piece of paper or postcard and mail to: Name the Puppy
Contest, Police Dog Service Training Centre, P.O. Box 6120, Innisfail,
Alta., T4G 1S8.

More than one entry per household is acceptable, however, each entry
should be on a separate piece of paper. The entry deadline is this
Friday and the winner will be announced April 12.