Seven, the Sandy Springs Police Department’s bloodhound, earned a tracking certification from The National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, the city has announced.
Seven completed his certification in Barnesville. The dog was tested on his ability to track and locate a suspect.
The association is a professional, nonprofit organization dedicated to the utilization and proficiency of scent detector dogs for the benefit of Law Enforcement and Private Industry. Seven’s primary goal for the Sandy Springs department is tracking.
“This is one certification that Seven has,” K-9 officer and Seven’s handler, Jon Castro, said in a press release. “It has an annual renewal. So we look for things like this—it’s our goal and an ongoing part of his training. Also, each night, I do a practice track with one of the officers. Just this Sunday, he made his first apprehension of two suspects. Training pays off.”
Seven also is trained to locate missing person. such as the elderly or children. A goal of the Sandy Springs department’s K-9 tracking program is to assist surrounding jurisdictions.
-Joe Earle