The Truth About Arson Dogs Sniffing Out The Next
Fire
Author: Michael Goldberg
We all know that trained K-9 dogs help police forces track and
apprehend criminal offenders often. We also know that there are
specially trained drug dogs that aid in the process of finding
illegal substances at airports, shipyards, and even residential
areas. There are also dogs that are specifically trained as
arson dogs.
So, what exactly is an arson dog, and what do they do? Arson
dogs are specially trained K-9's in the area of accelerant
detection. When a fire occurs, the police will arrive and
investigate the scene. If the fire seems suspicious, they will
bring in the arson K-9 and their handler. The dog is trained
specifically to sniff out miniscule traces of various fire
accelerants that could have possibly started the fire.
These dogs undergo a rigorous training program, called the
Arson Dog Program, and each dog is assigned a policeman handler.
The handler works with their dog, and the duo certainly makes an
authoritative team. Not only is the handler a policeman in the
fore, they too are specially trained to investigate fire scenes
for the possibility of investigating an act of arson.
As far as training goes, the Arson Dog Program (sponsored by a
popular insurance agency) was founded in 1993. The dogs in this
program are Labrador Retrievers, and they are trained rigorously
for five weeks and are certified as arson dogs upon graduation.
This particular program uses Labrador Retrievers because their
sense of smell works well with recognizing fire accelerants, in
addition to having a superior ability to differentiate between
certain scents. They also have a friendly sand sweet
disposition, which aids in easier training (not to mention
almost everyone loves a Retriever!). Since the founding of this
program, over two hundred arson dog teams have successfully
completed the training, and they are now serving in
approximately forty-one states and the District of Columbia in
the United States.
Though people may not think that arson is a common crime, there
is certainly a need for these specially trained and expert law
enforcement teams. Each year, an estimated couple billion
dollars worth of property damages, not to mention the loss of
hundreds of human lives, is attributed to the terrible crime of
arson. Because of this, arson dogs have been working hard to
catch and apprehend the felons every day.
These K-9 accelerant detection teams on police forces are as
close as family; most of these K-9 dogs actually live with the
handler's family in the home when they are off work. This
closeness not only companionship for both on the team, it also
aids in efforts to keep the relationship between the handler and
K-9 close.
These fire accelerant detection teams work tirelessly, 24/7, in
order to chase to apprehend arsonists. Because so many lives and
money is lost each year due to the terrible crime of arson,
programs have been established that are specifically designed to
train arson dogs. These dogs are heroes in every sense of the
word, and without them, many criminals would run free each year.
About The Author: http://www.firstfireextinguish
http://www.firstfireextinguish
