Area K9s Undergo Advanced Tactical Training

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Bowie and Hyattsville K9s and their handlers teamed up recently for advanced tactical training thanks to the help of the Chesapeake K9 Fund.

The officers all participated in real-world training to deploy both bloodhounds and patrol dogs, sometimes individually, sometimes together, to execute high-risk suspect searches safely and effectively.

"These are the moments that sharpen readiness, strengthen teamwork and save lives," the Chesapeake K9 Fund posted on Facebook. "Because when our K9 teams train better — our communities stay safer."

Wendy Oliver with Chesapeake K9 Fund told Patch that officers must undergo regular training, which they help with.

"The officers have to train continuously in different environments with different target decoys and role players under different scenarios as they never know what they are deploying for," Oliver told Patch.

According to the nonprofit, most police departments do not have the funds readily available if a K9 officer is injured or equipment fails. The process to access that emergency funding by a police department takes month, if that funding is even available.

"When a K9 needs an emergency surgical procedure, a heat alarm sensor fails, more security is needed in a government building or more units are needed to handle the current narcotics crisis, funding is needed immediately," the Chesapeake K9 Fund said on its website. "Chesapeake K9 Fund has a policy in place that mandates any item or K9 donated to a department is purchased from the Chesapeake K9 Fund and then that item or K9 is placed into the hands of the requesting department."

To donate to the Chesapeake K9 Fund and support local K9s, click here.

Photo courtesy of the Chesapeake K9 Fund