More information:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fs-fd/dog-chien-eng.htm
as he works, Sahay hid the third and final sample behind the Westjet counter, amongst the working staff. Zod worked around the crew, determined to find what he was trained to search for. Within seconds, he had found the final sample, tucked in the back of a drawer. Again, he sat down and waited for his reward, a rubber ball with a short tug rope attached.
The duties of any RCMP officer are stressful and potentially life threatening, and those of the dog handler and his four-legged partner are no exception. Not to mention the unpredictable shifts and long hours; there is always a dog and his handler either on duty, or on call 24/7. But you won’t hear a complaint from Sahay. “Dog handlers are typically adrenaline junkies; we just want to catch the bad guys. But safety is our number one priority. We take into consideration the safety of the public first and foremost, safety for ourselves, and the safety of other police officers.”
What about a typical day at YLW? “A typical day is that you never know what is going to happen,” says Sahay. Though the majority of Sahay’s calls are general duty calls, the airport can pose other potential dangers. Many days are spent training, but if a call does come in where there is a report of a threat on an aircraft or in baggage, Sahay quickly evaluates the situation to
determine whether or not Zod needs to be involved. If so, the dog is brought into the building or the aircraft and immediately goes to work. Time is of the essence. “In our line of work,” Sahay adds, “time is our enemy.”
There are many misconceptions when it comes to the RCMP dogs and their handlers. “Some people believe our dogs are vicious, but our course training standards force us to have extreme control on our dogs. In regards to all of the criminals that are apprehended, the percentage that is actually bitten or contacted is very low. Sahay points out that less than 10% of criminals are actually contacted by the dog. It is important for the public to understand that these dogs are not pets. They are working dogs, and when you see the officer and his dog at the airport, do not approach the dog. “We understand that people have a fascination with the dog. But we have a job to do.” Sahay adds that although each handler is different, he prefers that others do not touch nor talk to his dog. It is imperative that the working relationship with the handler and his dog is strong, and that the dog knows who he has to listen to. Because that relationship is so strong, you can rest
assured that when Sahay and Zod are at the airport, they are able to tackle any situation, which is why constant training and annual evaluations are so important.
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