When taking on a new officer , the department purchases what is called a green dog , meaning all their training is done with the Huntington Police Department , not prior to . Once the dogs have completed their training within the department , they are then certified through the West Virginia Police Canine Association ( WVPCA ).
“ We conduct training twice a week for four hours , and once a month we have an eight-hour training day ,” says Patton . “ The handlers are also responsible for training on their own . All our K-9s live at home with their handler and their families . The police department ’ s K-9s usually work until they are eight or nine years old , and then they retire and live with their handler and family .”
While the dogs are not deputized , they are considered a member of the Huntington Police Department and are treated accordingly . When they are off duty , they blend into their handler ’ s families and enjoy everything non-working dogs do . On duty , the Huntington Police Department K-9 Unit assists in many areas within the department , including bringing additional skills to the job that enhance officers ’ ability to make Huntington safer .
“ They give us a different perspective when searching for things such as evidence , drugs or people . They definitely make it easier to catch fleeing suspects ,” says Patton . “ We assist patrol with narcotics detection on vehicles , the tracking of fleeing suspects and missing individuals , alarms and building searches . The K-9 unit also works with the Huntington Police Department SWAT team , Huntington Violent Crimes Drug Task Force and the detective bureau . The K-9 unit also has opportunities to do demonstrations at schools , daycares and other public events in the tri-state area .”
Patton is particularly grateful for the support of Spike ’ s K9 Fund , a nonprofit for working dogs that has provided the department ’ s dogs with ballistic vests and an obstacle course at Barboursville Park .
Boone
Raisy
West Virginia Division of Forestry ’ s K-9 Investigative Unit
American Kennel Club bloodhounds Raisy and Boone make up the West Virginia Division of Forestry ’ s K-9 Investigative Unit .
For 25 years , dogs have lent their hunting and tracking skills to the division ’ s Special Operations and Enforcement Unit to track down arsonists who start forest fires , missing children and lost hikers . Raisy and Boone work alongside assistant state foresters and investigators Don Kelley and John Bird .
The dogs have undergone years of rigorous training with the WVPCA to certify their tracking skills . These annual certifications are what make the evidence they find stand up in court . In 2017 , Raisy and Boone were named the WVPCA ’ s K-9 Team of the Year . They have assisted on hundreds of local cases and have also traveled to assist law enforcement in Arizona , California , Georgia , North Dakota and South Dakota .
“ These canines allow us to gather information by following a trail a suspect has traveled and identifying those suspects ,” says Kelley . “ To date , they have helped solve 233 arson cases and that does not include the numerous missing persons cases .”
Kelley and Bird agree that one of the most enjoyable parts of their job is taking Raisy and Boone on school and public appearances .
“ Many times when I run into someone , they will remember Raisy but not me ,” Kelley says .
Kelley is Raisy ’ s handler . He says K-9s are usually able to fill this type of position for approximately 10 years , and Raisy is still in excellent health .
“ Raisy and I have been together since she was eight weeks old ,” he says . “ She is the fifth canine I have had the privilege to handle for the division . They give you a unique opportunity to solve cases that would otherwise go unsolved . We have also had the opportunity to travel and assist federal agencies across the country .” •
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