COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 9, 2016
7A
Public Health seeks public's
help to fi ght the fl u
Canine Against
Crime
Contrary to public belief,
not all police dogs are German
Shepherds. They can be any
breed, like Cottage Grove’s Po-
lice Department’s Narcotics K9,
Kimber, a beautiful and skilled
fi ve-year-old black Labrador re-
triever.
Drug detection dogs cost be-
tween $4000-$7000, but luckily,
for our city’s budget, Kimber is
the offspring of our communi-
ty’s fi rst narcotic canine. Her
extensive training serves the
public by detecting the subtle
odors of methamphetamine,
heroin and cocaine. Most dogs
in her paws-ition work 8–10
years before retiring.
“Narcotics dogs are a valu-
able asset,” said her proud part-
ner, Corporal David Burgin, “in
aiding offi cers, during search
warrants for narcotics, or after
offi cers have searched a location
without successfully uncovering
any drugs.”
The dogs highly toned “sniff-
ers” detect paw-tential odors
emanating from “secret” loca-
tions exposing hidden narcotics.
Kimber is rewarded for locating
them with her favorite toy.
“When an offi cer encounters a
vehicle that may contain narcot-
ics,” adds Corporal Burgin, “a
detection K9 sniffs the vehicle’s
exterior seams, known as a ‘free
air sniff’. Once the K9 alerts to
a drug’s presence, then the offi -
cer has legal cause to search the
vehicle.”
Kimber’s sensitive skills al-
low offi cers to gain entry into
vehicles, offi ces, and homes
based on her alerts, resulting
in the successful seizure of il-
licit drugs and currency that
may otherwise not have been
located.
Kimber lives for the “thrill of
the hunt” as she helps rid our
city of poisonous drugs that de-
stroy our community members’
lives, and her impressive and
scary bark commands attention!
“As a police offi cer, father
and human,” said Corporal Bur-
gin, “I take it personally when
this poison steals our mothers,
fathers, brothers, sisters and
children from us. Seeing its dev-
astating results, fi rst hand, fuels
my passion for bringing drug
sellers to justice.”
Corporal Burgin and his ca-
nine also engage in public dem-
onstrations illustrating his dog’s
special abilities.
“Kimber is the star of the
show,” proudly said Corporal
Burgin, “and the events help the
public understand what our spe-
cialized police team is doing.”
As partners against crime,
they had to attend 200 hours of
training in a course that only
passes those with a 100 percent
score through the Oregon Police
K9 Association. Their monthly
homework, a requirement of
their job, is an additional 16
hours of training based on cur-
rent law, plus yearly certifi ca-
tion with California’s Narcotics
K9 Association.
“A great deal of work, train-
ing, studying and attention goes
into being responsible for a nar-
cotics detection dog,” adds Cor-
poral Burgin, “Luckily, Kimber
and I enjoy working as a team
and we have developed a rare
telepathic communication after
our focused time together.
Also, it is wonderful having a
partner that is always happy, and
happy to see you. As a police of-
fi cer we see many diffi cult or in-
humane things. Kimber’s bright
spirit lights up our offi cers, even
on our darkest day.”
It is not only the offi cers’
moods that Kimber touches.
She loves lifting peoples’ hearts
with her best “puppy dog” look.
Children fl ock to her and people
who are apprehensive about ap-
proaching a police offi cer, will
more easily approach an offi cer
with a dog. In hard cases, where
children are involved, Kimber
disarms their fears, as she ac-
cepts their pats and hugs.
At home, Kimber is family,”
said Corporal Burgin, “and she
acts like any goofy family dog
making us laugh doing silly
things. She loves her toys and
shamelessly does just about
L
Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe”
Cottage Grove Police department’s Corporal David Bur-
gin and narcotic detection dog, Kimber.
anything for one. Occasionally,
while hanging out with us, she
suddenly superman-leaps onto
our kitchen counter and starts
searching. I don’t know if she
is bored or just practicing her
skills for additional treats!”
When Corporal Burgin pulls
out Kimber’s “work” harness,’”
she barks with excitement and
joyfully wags her tail because
she knows that its time to go to
work with her best buddy. It is
obvious to all that this team was
made for each other.
Note: Cottage Grove Police
Department has two dog teams:
Kimber, who is our Narcotic
Detection Dog, and Corporal
Joyce’s Patrol Dog, Torq. K-9’s
have partnered with our offi -
cers for 19 years. Torq will be
featured in a future Pet Tips ‘n’
Tales.
TIPS
Fun Facts! Four Chicken Soup
for the Soul books, “My Very
Good Cat, Very Bad Cat”, “The
Joy of Christmas”, “Dreams and
Premonitions”, and “Oh! Cana-
da” feature six of Mary Ellen
“Angel Scribe’s” stories. She is
author of “Expect Miracles” and
“A Christmas Filled With Mir-
acles” and she and her articles
are featured in over 20 other
books and magazines, plus a pet
columnist for 12 years!
Note: Sherry at Happinest
Wildlife, which rescues birds,
writes, “Please do NOT use red
hummingbird nectar!
We getting so many hummers
who can’t fl y because they are
very sick and ALL are peeing
red dyes. It is very hard on their
kidneys,,= and I don’t know
what it will take to stop stores
from selling it.
Boil your own sugar wa-
ter: four parts water, one part
sugar. Red feeders will attract
the birds and the hummers will
thank you!” happinestwildlife.
com
Share your pet tips and tales.
angelscribe@msn.com
“Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on
Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/
PetTipsandTales
ane County Public Health
is urging Lane County
residents to take preventative
action to reduce the occurrence
of infl uenza after a recent spike
in infl uenza like illness, primar-
ily centered in the Florence area.
This cluster of over 100 cases is
the fi rst of its kind in 2016 and
the illness has spread to a signif-
icant number of middle school
age children.
“While we deal with the fl u
every year, it’s troubling when
we see a sharp uptick, especially
in school-age children, as is the
case in Florence,” said Cindy
Morgan, Lane County Commu-
nicable Disease Supervisor.
Infl uenza is a highly con-
tagious viral infection. While
most people who contract infl u-
enza experience no more than
fever, chills, aches, cough and
congestion, it can lead to hos-
pitalization or serious medical
complications, mostly among
people with other health issues
as well as the very old and very
young.
Fortunately,
community
members can help keep them-
selves and their loved ones
SENIOR
MEALS
PROGRAMS
Offering Meals on Wheels
and
Cafe 60 at the following loca-
tions:
Anyone age 60 and older is
served, regardless of income,
suggested donation is $3.
Guests under age 60 are
welcome to attend for $8 per
meal.
Cottage Grove Riverview
Terrace
925 W. Main St., Cottage
Grove
Noon: Tues., Wed., Thurs.
Creswell Cresview Villa
350 S. 2nd St., Creswell
Noon: Mon., Wed., Fri.
THURSDAY, NOV. 10:
Hamburger or Hot Dog on a
Bun
FRIDAY, NOV. 11: Closed
for Honoring our Vets on
healthy by practicing simple
steps like hand-washing, and by
getting a fl u vaccine. Infl uenza
is a respiratory illness that is
most commonly spread through
coughing and sneezing, and for
that reason people are urged to
follow these practices:
Stay home when sick. Main-
tain distance from other people
to prevent the spread of illness
Don’t return to work or
school for a minimum of 24
hours after your fever has re-
solved without the aid of fever
reducing medicines (e.g., Advil
or Tylenol)
Avoid close contact with peo-
ple who are sick.
Wash hands often with soap
and hot water for at least 20 sec-
onds. Alcohol-based hand sani-
tizers are also helpful in reduc-
ing the spread of the fl u.
Cover coughs and sneezes
with tissues or by coughing into
the inside of the elbow. Wash
hands after blowing the nose or
coughing into a tissue and dis-
pose of tissues after use.
Avoid touching eyes, nose,
and mouth to prevent the spread
of germs.
Veteran's Day
MONDAY, NOV. 14:
Chicken a la King or Pork
Sausage Gravy over Whipped
Potatoes
TUESDAY, NOV. 15: Turkey
Loaf w/Gravy or Beef Patty
w/Gravy
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16:
Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad
Sandwich Halves
Drain/Yoncalla area
Served at 400 Main St.,
Yoncalla.
(For Douglas County Meals
on Wheels eligibility, call
541-440-3677.)
Suggested donation $3.50
THURSDAY, NOV. 10:
Homestyle Pork Patty w/Gra-
vy
FRIDAY, NOV. 11: Closed
for Honoring our Vets on Vet-
eran's Day
TUESDAY, NOV. 15:
Breaded Baked Fish w/Tar-
tar Sauce or BBQ Chicken
Breast
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