Dogs wanted for police work

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 5

Dogs wanted for police work

By

JOHN HARFORD

Wanted: Males, aged 12 months, for challenging but rewarding career in police work, Successful applicants would have sharp teeth, four legs, good breeding, and be well mannered. Apply to the dog section, Christchurch police. Retirement has left several vacancies for police dogs in Christchurch. The recently appointed re-

gional dog co-ordinator, Senior-Sergeant Les Bruce, said he hoped the public might be able to give suitable dogs to the police to bring his section back to full strength. Five German shepherds were needed for general purpose duties and one Labrador for drug detection. Senior-Sergeant Bruce said it was the first time on record that people in

Christchurch had been asked to provide dogs for the police. Many police dogs were given as gifts in Auckland or Wellington. Some were bred at the Royal New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre at Trentham. “Christchurch people might have been asked before but I can find no record of it,” he said. Well socialised and “true to breed” pedigree

dogs were sought. Dogs that would bite out of fear were not wanted.

. Dogs, not bitches, that were about 12 months old were best.

, “By that time we can see what they are going to look like as adult dogs but they are not too old to be trained. It is an ideal age and German shepherds are an ideal breed,” Senior-Sergeant Bruce said.

Dogs which were ac-

cepted would be given 18 months training. Those that came up to standard would then be placed with a handler.

The dogs were usually retired after eight years. “We hope that some people might have a young dog which, for various reasons, they can no longer care for. “Anyone who gives us a dog can be assured he will be well looked after,” he said.