Northeast Georgia K-9 Units Train for Certification

Northeast Georgia K-9 units have been used this year to search for ,  track down , seek a , search for , and sniff out a , among other efforts.

This week, the region's four-legged law enforcement officers and their human handlers are preparing together for certification at locations in Oconee, Barrow and Gwinnett counties, the Athens Banner-Herald reports.

The K-9 units were practicing tracking and takedowns at a farm in western Oconee County on Tuesday and were moving westward later in the week ahead of certification with the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association.

Oconee Sheriff's Sgt. Shane Partain, who handles the county's K-9 Orion, said the association is a cost-efficient certifier because it sends trainers to the area. He also told the Banner-Herald that training locally is less expensive for the units and ensures dogs are in the area should they be needed.