Patrollers work with ‘dogged’ determination
Sheriff’s K-9 force trains year-round, help protect deputies
In an abandoned county building, a trained police canine searches for drugs. With dogged persistence the German shepherd sniffs every corner and space until he finds the marijuana, dope or crystal methamphetamine that was planted for him to locate. When he finds it, he sits, looks up expectantly at his handler and is rewarded with what he’s really been looking for – his chew toy. “It’s about play,” said Deputy Shawn Rosner. “That drive helps them find narcotics because they associate narcotics with their toy. They know they get their toy and play when they find the odor.” Rosner and his canine partner, Scout, are among the 11 deputies and their partners who make up the Placer County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit. Rosner, a nine-year veteran of the team, said he loves the unique opportunities the job offers. This week, he gave The Journal an inside look at some of the training officers and their canines undergo and what their duties entail. To start with, trainer John Riboni will select the right dogs when they are about 1 to 2 years old from breeders in Europe. Riboni said law enforcement buys most of their dogs overseas because they are typically bred from German shepherds with a strong hunting drive and the ability to defend themselves when needed. Riboni said the hunting drive is important in training a dog to search for hidden narcotics. The ability to fight is key for a patrol dog if they need to guard themselves or their partner against an attack. About 75 percent of the sheriff’s squad are dogs that can both search for narcotics and serve on patrols. Riboni said the police dogs are never vicious unless they are provoked or sense that their handler is in imminent danger. “We train them to defend themselves,” Riboni said. “We can’t train them to be aggressive.” Rosner said the dogs can be an intimidating force when dealing with potentially dangerous suspects. They are trained to bite almost anywhere except the face, groin and hands. The dogs are also able to search a building for danger or drugs in half the time it would take a team of deputies. “We’re talking 1,400 pounds of pressure per square inch in the jaw, add the teeth and the fact that they can run up to 30 mph,” Rosner said. The dogs initially cost about $7,500 and then training expenses are added to that, Rosner added. Rosner said the mix of fighter yet subdued animal is apparent when the deputies do demonstrations at schools and other places and the canines sit patiently while others pet them. Besides receiving standard training in their first few years, canines and their handlers train year-round. There are special training events such as practicing with a helicopter, being lowered down a building or jumping into the water to catch a suspect. When the day is over, however, many of the dogs go home with their handlers. Deputy Stacey Toy-Denardi said while working with her partner, 10-year-old Chopper, the two have developed an almost indescribable bond. “You develop something that’s incredible,” Toy-Denardi said. “He knows me like nobody knows me.” Toy-Denardi said not only does Chopper accompany her for daily work duties, he comes along on family trips. This month she celebrated his 10th birthday by making him a cake and giving him his favorite food, apples. “There’s a satisfaction knowing my partner is right next to me,” Toy-Denardi said. “Knowing that if anything would happen, he’ll give his life for me. It’s unconditional.” Rosner said Scout is his second partner to come home with him after his first canine partner, Ranger, died a few years ago. He said Ranger and Scout are both considered members of his family. He added that he feels lucky to work with Scout on a daily basis. “The thing I find so great is every day they give us their hard work, honor, loyalty and courage and they ask for almost nothing in return,” Rosner said. The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.
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Get to know: Scout Howling along: Scout’s favorite song is the “Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. His handler, deputy Shawn Rosner, said whenever Scout hears the song, he howls along with it. A fancy gentleman: Scout’s handler, Deputy Shawn Rosner, says he sometimes calls the police dog sophisticated because he’ll cross his legs when he lays down. Age: 4 ½ years old
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Are they trained to take cover when being shot at? Or are they just another dumb animal that stands there and takes a bullet. Just wondered.......
PeaGravel, for what I have been told about police K-9's, they are taught/trained to go after or attack a person who is shooting at them or their Handler. Sadly it is the K-9's job to take the "Bullet" for their handler.
So that would then be justified animal cruelty, interesting.
PeaGravel: the name says it all for PEA-BRAINED. Recently the Foothills K-9 Assoc held a fund raiser to get all the K-9's in the area new bullet proof vests. I do believe they are now able to purchase much needed new vests. Clearly you know nothing about GSD to you would not have posted such a stupid statement. These dogs are freaking awesome!
The only thing I would like to see is the Sheriffs Dept. and other local PD's do is go to all the surrounding shelters and adopt from them. I check the shelter lists almost daily and there are goregous GSD all the time. Instead of spending $7500 on a dog from overseas. Most of the time the GSD's in the shelter are around 2-4 years old the perfect time to begin their training. These dogs are so smart training can begin at almost any age, as long as the dog is phyiscally able to the job. The county could not only save a life they get a great officer. A win win for all involved. There is a guy in Placer County right now that would make an excellant officer.
I agree localgirl, I do not believe that quality German Shepard Dogs can not be found locally. If thats the case why dont we hire European Sheriff Officers too, as they are bred with a strong hunting drive and ability to defend themselves.
I don't know if he is still there I could not find him on-line. If he is someone go rescue him. I can't take anymore than ones I have. My male is gettng older & had little patients for other dogs in his home.
I was just on pet harbor under GSD and the number of purebreds that are in shelters is just gut wrenching. The county could look here and drive to get a quality GSD that someone either lost or abandoned. All of our family dogs have been rescues or taken in from people that could not care for them. The shelter dogs may even make better officers do to the fact they will try to please even more since they are grateful to the humans that save them from an untimley demise. We all want to cut costs well here is one way to do so. It costs around $300.00 to get a dog fixed & UTD on vaccines vs. $7500.00. Does anybody have any ideas how we could get a program going like this?
BEAUTIFUL GERMAN SHEPARD
Reply to: comm-dsgdn-1188386252@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-05-25, 2:57PM
This DOG - ID#A044870
I am a neutered male, black and tan German Shepherd Dog.
My age is unknown.
I have been at the shelter since May 05, 2009.
This information is 8 hours old.
For more information about this animal, call:
Placer County Animal Control - Auburn at (530) 886-5539
Ask for information about animal ID number A044870
Placer County Animal Control - Auburn
11251 B Avenue
Auburn, CA 95603
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Voice: (530) 886-5539 Fax: (530) 886-5538
Nice.
Mitchel and PeaGravel, the daily king and queen of the idiots.
Nice post, bigots.
On 5/29/09 at 07:56 AM, PeaGravel wrote:
"Are they trained to take cover when being shot at? Or are they just another dumb animal that stands there and takes a bullet. Just wondered....... "
"On 5/29/09 at 08:28 AM, PeaGravel wrote:
So that would then be justified animal cruelty, interesting. "
Yeah there another "dumb animial" that will take a bullet for one of there own that are family. I'm sure you would run away with your tail beteween your legs from your comments. Your name shold be PeaBrain but I guess PeaGravel is close enough.
MRex21.... Thank you so very kindly for calling me a Bigot. Your candor is appreciated, however your must be one of the most stupid Idiots on the AJ... For you so politely speak your mind of others without and knowldedge of them.
I have been a "Family" dog trainer for over 20 years. And have many contacts through out the "Doggie" World....and possess much more than the average human knowledge of dogs, how they work, how they think, how they respond etc.etc. So in all respect..... thank you for pointing out your own short sightedness. I will dis-regard your posts in the future as its contents cannot be trusted. . Now if I can only get my pooper scooper to pick up your post from this blog.... Kinda stinks in here.
Rember only a fool speaks his mind without knowldege. SOOO you have spoken.....
LOL!!!!
Well...excuuuuuuuuse me. Forgive my oversight. I meant to say you are ignorant and know nothing of which you speak. Thank you for the correction.
The female handler is not a deputy. She is a correctional officer.