Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9s celebrate Valentine’s Day
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Kobe, Kane, and Rudy want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day! The three Belgian Malinois wearing Valentines scarves are K-9s with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD).
The department fields 17-18 trained K-9s – two single-service dogs and the remainder being full-service patrol dogs – capable of tracking suspects, protecting their handlers, locating missing persons, and sniffing out drugs.
Of the two single-service dogs, one is trained to detect explosive devices. The other is an electronics detection K-9 capable of sniffing out memory cards, computer hard-drives, cameras and other devices used, for instance, in child pornography cases.
In addition to Belgian Malinois, RCSD K-9s include Dutch Shepherds, one English Labrador and an American Labrador.
Handlers for the pictured K-9s are Deputy William Taylor (for Kobe), Deputy Andrew Ellison (for Kane), and Deputy Sarah Merriman (for Rudy).
– Photographs by Joye King, RCSD public information office.
