Adding more bark

If suspects thought they were dogged by law enforcement before, it’s only going to get worse.
Portland Police Department and Jay County Sheriff’s Office are looking to get new units to fight the county’s drug epidemic, and they have wagging tails.
Portland Board of Works approved last week for the city police to start a full-time K-9 unit — it has been using officer Brad Ridenour’s personal dog, Daisy, for searches for the last three weeks — and the sheriff’s office is working toward adding a second full-time dog to its team.
That would bring the county to a total of four dogs being used to find evidence of illegal drugs. They are also known for their ability to help with locating lost citizens, subduing suspects and making public appearances.
Portland police will spend about $23,000 to purchase a dog and implement its K-9 program, with officer Cody Jessee slated to work with the animal. He will go to train May 23 at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver for six weeks and will be on the road with the dog by June.
Sheriff Dwane Ford said the county hopes to begin training with its second dog around September with patrols to start about two months later. The sheriff’s office will purchase the dog through its K-9 fund, which has about $6,750, and private donations. The cost is estimated at $17,000.
Both law enforcement organizations determined having the K-9 units will given them a better chance of obtaining probable cause for searches in cases in which it suspects drugs are involved.
“Having a dog on hand makes it easier for an officer when a car is pulled over,” Ford said.
During a traffic stop, a deputy has only about 10 to 15 minutes to determine if there is probable cause to search a vehicle.
“The way the law is now, we can’t detain them any longer for that traffic stop,” said Nathan Springer, chief of Portland police.
He added that if the department has only one handler available and he is already working a traffic stop, it would take longer than 10 to 15 minutes to get to a second location. Ultimately, more dogs equals greater coverage.
Aron, the sheriff’s office’s current police dog, which is handled by deputy Ruben Vela, graduated from Allen County Sheriff’s Office for K-9 training school in July. Since then, he has been involved in 34 traffic stops, with 19 resulting in positive alerts for an illegal substance. In 13 of those incidents an illegal substance was found upon searching the vehicle, leading to 12 arrests.
Searches conducted by Aron also resulted in the seizure of substances three times at Jay County High School and once in Huntington County.
Ridenour, who was also one of the handlers for Vischa, a dog that served with PPD from 2001 through 2004, said new trainers should expect to “look bad” during training. It requires handlers to look for small details in the dog’s behavior and takes time to learn.
Deputy Brad Wendel agreed in December to be the handler for the sheriff’s office’s second dog. He will also go to Vohne Liche Kennels, for training.
“I like dogs, period,” Wendel said. “They can smell things that we can’t.”
“The thing about these dogs is we’ve got to remember it’s a working dog. Even though you bond with it, you still got to remember it’s another tool that you’re using and you have to be prepared to use that dog … in very intense situations.”
Jessee mentioned prior to being hired that he was interested in working with a K-9 unit. He noted having brief education at veterinary school and his ability to be available for searches at all hours.
“There’s always challenges with something new,” said Jessee. “I’m excited for it. I had previous training with animals. I’m just excited and looking forward to it.”