Sensitivity Classes For K9 Handlers: Not What You Think
Now, I’ve think I’ve heard everything. It always amazes me that there is more concern for criminals than the victims, human or canine.
UNITED KINGDOM - Police dog handlers have been told to consider whether criminals could be frightened of dogs before using them in raids or searches.
They should also think carefully about the possibility of suspects being allergic to dog hair, according to draft guidelines drawn up by senior officers.
Lately there have been a rash of stories involving police dogs that have been abused, but unbelievably, here is a proposal that worries about the rights of the criminal.
The proposals follow fears that suspects with medical conditions affected by dogs could sue forces which authorise the animals’ use during arrests or raids.
Perhaps, if you’re not doing anything illegal you won’t have a police K9 trying to nip you in the behind.
‘The traditional shout of “stand still or I will set the dog on you” will presumably now have to become “excuse me, my police dog is quite hairy and might cause alarm as he sinks his fangs into your right thigh - is that all right with you?”
If only lawmakers would focus on creating laws that impose stricter penalties on animal abusers, what a better world it would be.
A serving dog handler, who asked not to be named, declared: ‘I have never heard anything so ridiculous. What’s next? Sparing people custody because they have a fear of enclosed spaces?
What about classes for the police who handle the dogs. Does anyone remember the picture of a law enforcement officer who chained his dog up to the top of a piece of decking and repeatedly beat and kicked the dog?
I am all about sensitivity training… but let’s start with the Pack Leader….
I think we need to be more concerned about the sensitivity of the handlers towards their own dogs. My father was a K-9 handler for 8 years. I’ve seen the dogs in action and they bad guys get PLENTY of warning before the dogs are used. The dog is both an officer (if you strike him, you can be charged with assaulting an officer) and a weapon. You wouldn’t fire at a suspect without warning them first, obviously, and they don’t use the dogs without warning.
The dogs, however, work very hard and sometimes in unbearable heat (right along with their human counterparts). There was a K-9 in Florida just a few weeks ago who died in a squad car when the AC failed. I think sensitivity training needs to be focused on helping the handler realize when his dog has been working too hard. These dogs have an incredible drive and do not want to give up until the job is done, which sometimes means that they ignore their own needs. Stop worrying about how the suspects feel and start thinking about the dogs!!!