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Dog squad in need of German Shepherds

Posted on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Release date: Tue 6 January 2009

After arresting nearly 1000 people last year, the Victoria Police Dog Squad is on the look out for more adult German Shepherds to help continue their fight against crime.

The Dog Squad made 969 arrests in 2008, which included apprehending offenders in relation to drug offences and assault and robbery matters, in addition to detecting criminals at ‘hot’ burglaries and helping locate missing persons.

Squad sergeant, Glenn Barrot said examples of arrests involving German Shepherds included a situation in June last year where a K-9 team tracked down four offenders who ran off after they robbed a commuter walking home from a tram stop.

“The dog located the offenders hiding 300 metres away in the rear yard of a factory. Three of the men immediately surrended to police but the fourth made a run for it,” Sgt Barrot said.

“The dog found him a short time later and all men were charged with armed robbery and assaults.”

Sgt Barrot said another incident early last year resulted in a K-9 team finding a 10-year-old boy who had been missing for almost five hours.

“The dog found the child in an area that had been thoroughly searched by humans only hours before,” Sgt Barrot said.

Sgt Barrot said the Victoria Police Dog Squad urgently needed adult German Shepherds to replace the current dogs approaching the end of their working lives.

Pure-bred German Shepherds aged between 12 months to two years are needed to assist Victoria Police with searches for offenders, lost people, burglary offences, sexual attacks, fights, prowlers and armed and violent situations.

Dog Squad Sergeant Glenn Barrot said German Shepherd owners who were finding their dogs too much to handle should consider supplying them to Victoria Police.

“Skilled canines play a very important part in operational policing, your dog could help save a life or could contribute to improving community safety,” Sgt Barrot said.

“In an age of technology, no man-made device has yet to duplicate the natural instincts and abilities of a dog to track human scent or detect hidden persons or property.”

“Dogs can often crawl or jump onto places where it would be impractical or impossible for police members to go.”

Sgt Barrot said dogs would undergo a stringent testing process to ensure they are suitable for police work.

“They must be fairly exceptional with a strong retrieve and a sound temperament,” he said.

Pre-requisites include intelligence, boldness, keenness and the physical ability to cope with strenuous demands of police work.

Successful dogs will then undertake three to four months of intensive training involving obedience, agility, retrieval, searching techniques and criminal work at The Dog Training Centre in Attwood, Victoria.

If you believe your dog has the attributes required of a K-9 dog, please contact the Dog Squad on 9333 1300.

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