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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2018)
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 K9-unit handlers committed to their dogs By Jodi Schneider Correspondent They are loyal and com- mitted officers of a police force. They are highly trained, intelligent, and truly dedicated. They are the four- legged officers of the K-9 unit, and whether they are searching for missing chil- dren or sniffing out suspi- cious packages, they are part of a long-lived tradition that extends back thousands of years. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has four K-9 teams that are assigned to the patrol division. There are three tracking and apprehen- sion teams and one narcotics detection team. K-9 teams are on call 24 hours a day. The dogs have been trained extensively overseas, imported, and then hand- selected by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Mike Biondi, a 24-year veteran with DCSO, heads up the K-9 unit. “Our dogs are from Europe,” Biondi told The Nugget. “They’re bred there for police work.” Each new dog goes through months of training before he is ready to be sent over here for more training by his new handler. The deputies and their canine partners share a com- plex language. K-9 com- mands are often given in Czech or Dutch. “It is quite a culture shock to our K-9s that come over to begin a brand-new life with people talking a different lan- guage than they are used to. Even the smells are different,” Biondi said. “It’s a big change for these dogs and it can take them up to a full year to get acclimated and bond with their handler. They are trying to figure out what our expec- tations of them are.” Typically, K-9s are hid- den away from the public spotlight. Sometimes you can glimpse them in the back of their handlers’ vehicles, when they are needed during trying times. Within seconds, Masa, Ezel, Brolo or Molly could be at their partner’s side ready for any situation. The role is not easy for K-9 or handler. Law enforce- ment K-9s have been injured, shot and killed on duty. It really takes a special indi- vidual to become a K-9 han- dler. It’s more complex than chasing bad guys, or sniffing out narcotics. Daily training is important. Communication is essential, and bonding is everything. And it doesn’t end after 48 hours a week on the job. These hard-working K-9s live with their handlers. Biondi had the unique experience of working and living with his own K-9 patrol dog from 2000 to 2006. Hugo, a 100-pound Czech shepherd, was always by his side. “I spent more time with Hugo than I did anyone else, including my family,” Biondi said. “We had a lot of play time and really tried to keep the interaction light and fun when we were off duty. It’s a change and a big commitment because this new dog in your life affects the whole family. Your K-9 is a 24-7 commit- ment. I’ve never had a stron- ger bond.” As enjoyable as it is for the family to have a patrol dog around the house, it’s the dep- uty’s responsibility to make sure his dog stays sharp On their four days off Biondi trained Hugo to keep him ready for action. “We go with the three T’s,” said Biondi. “Teach, Train, Test. You show them what to do, and the train- ing part is when they’re up and running and doing well. Then the testing part comes in when you try to get them to do some- thing incorrect to make sure they are focused and not distracted. Its a lot of time spent together.” There is also weekly training, and these train- ing exercises involve the han- PHOTO PROVIDED dlers reviewing commands with Deputy Bartness and Masa. The partnership his dog. Once the between officer and dog is a close one. four-hour training is wrapped the very beginning. When I up, it’s back on the job for picked her up from the ken- both the dog and his handler. nel, she put her paw through The newest and young- the fencing for me to pet her. est patrol K-9 is Masa, an “Masa’s playful, loving, 18-month-old Czech shep- and affectionate. But when herd from Slovakia. Her han- it’s time to work, she is very dler, Deputy Ben Bartness, strong, focused, controlled, has been with the Deschutes and confident. She loves her County Sheriff’s Office for job.” seven years. Masa is slowly build- “My priority is spending ing bonds with her handler’s time with Masa,” Bartness family: his wife, Alyson; said. “I play, train, and relax his daughter; 12-year-old with her every day. Relaxing chihuahua; and 7-year-old consists of loving on her, doberman. brushing her, petting her, “I hope to continue to build and just hanging out. Masa the strong bond we already was friendly and social from share,” said Bartness.
