Three Dogs in Florida Were Rushed to an Emergency Veterinarian After Ingesting Fentanyl

While K-9 officers use their noses to sniff out drugs, the opioid epidemic has put our police dogs in deadly jeopardy.

Three dogs in Florida were rushed to an emergency veterinarian hospital last year when they were with their handlers during a drug raid and ingested fentanyl – an extremely potent drug used as a painkiller often mixed with heroin and twice as potent.

In response to the dangerous epidemic, law enforcement officers now carry naloxone with them just in case; as they send the police dogs into homes and cars searching for narcotics. The drug naloxone has been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans.

In January, the Massachusetts State Police started carrying naloxone for their dogs, and according to CbsNews, police in Hartford, Connecticut also includes handlers to carry the drug for their dogs – just in case.

As human officers have reported becoming very ill from a small amount of fentanyl after being in close contact with suspects – just patting them down and getting the white powder on their hands, reactions can be even more severe for K-9 personnel.

With dogs, their primary sense is smell, and they literally breathe and inhale the opioids, so to protect their four-legged partners, police officers now carry the naloxone kits which blocks the effects of opioids and reverses overdoses with few side effects.

Previously naloxone had most often been used by doctors, medics and emergency medical personnel – now police, firefighters and families with members suffering from addiction carry the kits; naloxone can be administered through injection or via a nasal spray.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, deputy administrator Jack Riley has warned police officers of the dangers of fentanyl to both humans and dogs:
“Fentanyl can kill our canine companions and partners just as easy as it can humans, so please take precautions for their safety too,” Riley warned.

In Broward County, Florida, a police K-9 officer named Primus became lethargic after a drug search. He and two other dogs were rushed to an emergency veterinarian where the dogs were all treated with naloxone – all three recovered quickly.

It is believed they may have inhaled a trace amount of fentanyl (the same drug that killed Prince) and that the drug even may have been absorbed into their bodies through their paws. Experts believe for a dog just two or three granules like sand would be enough to overdose a dog.

Officers are being much more prudent now before sending dogs into a home or building known where drugs are overtly observed. Sadly the drug epidemic has become so critical in the United States, even our dogs’ lives are at risk.

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Fairfax County Police Department: Meet CJ, Our Newest K9 Recruit

Our newest K9 recruit, CJ, says Happy Monday to everyone! You can't help but smile when you see her! CJ is just 7 weeks old and traveled up from Alabama last week. She will live with her new K9 handler and ride alongside K9 Cody over the next year, as she grows and begins training. CJ is a Bloodhound. Her Bloodhound cousins, K9 Bolt and K9 Silas, already serve on the department. CJ will learn to find missing children and adults with her amazing tracking abilities! Let's give CJ a big welcome to our county!

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6-Year-Old Police Dog, Nero, Beloved K9 at the Oviedo Police Department, Laid to Rest in Emotional Ceremony

Oviedo, FL -  Nero the beloved K9 German Shepherd, made a lasting impression on the Oviedo Police Department.

After 6-year-old Nero was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the department decided to put him down. On Friday, they laid him to rest at local animal hospital. His fellow officers had their hands up in salute and police dogs sat at attention, while Officer David Capetillo walked him for the last time. Nero was given a ceremony with full honors - a testament to the love and loyalty he exhibited during his time on the force.

Nero had spent the last four years of his life working as a police dog, proving himself as an invaluable member of the team. Training video shows just how agile he was, capable of easily bounding into the bed of a pick-up truck to attack a mock suspect.

"He and his K-9 officer, David Capetillo, are credited with numerous drug busts and are also credited with tracking numerous criminal suspects, lost children and missing, endangered adults," said Oviedo police in a statement.

Nero had also played the part of local celebrity. He and Officer Capetillo had performed demonstrations at several events throughout the year, said the department, including each of the DARE graduations at four elementary schools in the city.

Thank you for your service.

Oviedo Fl. police officer David Capetillo walks past an honor guard of fellow K-9 officers from the Central Florida area as he walks his partner, Nero, to the veterinarians office one final time. Nero suffered from cancer and was laid to rest on Friday March 20, 2015.  Ed Ruping, Oviedo Fire/Rescue

Oviedo Fl. police officer David Capetillo walks past an honor guard of fellow K-9 officers from the Central Florida area as he walks his partner, Nero, to the veterinarians office one final time. Nero suffered from cancer and was laid to rest on Friday March 20, 2015. Ed Ruping, Oviedo Fire/Rescue

Officers from the Central Florida area salute after Oviedo Fl K-9 Nero was laid to rest after four years of service to the City of Oviedo police department. Nero suffered from cancer and was laid to rest on Friday March 20, 2015. Ed Ruping, Oviedo Fire/Rescue

Oviedo Fl. police officer David Capetillo and his wife Lt Heather Capetillo walks past an honor guard of fellow K-9 officers from the Central Florida area. His partner, Nero, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the week was laid to rest on Friday March 20, 2015. Ed Ruping, Oviedo Fire/Rescue


Condolences on The Lake Mary Police Department Facebook page:

Asking for thoughts and prayers today as Officer D. Capetillo and his family say goodbye to Oviedo Police Department’s K-9 Nero . It was discovered that this sweet boy has an inoperable tumor on/in his heart. A gut wrenching decision was made to hold his paw while he crosses the bridge today. Officer Nero, we thank you for spending your days dedicated to your work and your handler. As the Capetillo and Oviedo Police Department deal with this loss, we send them our love and support.

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The Carroll County Sheriff's Office Needs Your Help in Naming Their Adorable New K9, A Four-Month-Old Female Bloodhound Puppy - Contest Ends March 29

Westminster, MD - An adorable new K9 puppy at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office needs your help: She doesn't have a name yet!

The four-month-old bloodhound puppy is set to be much more than merely adorable, of course. She's slated to undergo 10 weeks of training with the Maryland State Police, after which she'll also be highly skilled.

The puppy will learn how to search for missing people, criminals who have tried to evade police, and escaped inmates. She'll also be able to help investigators develop leads in criminal cases.

But she still doesn't have a name, and that's where you come in. The Sheriff's Office is asking people to send their suggestions to ccsopuppycontest@gmail.com. In your message, include a history of the name or the reason why you're suggesting it.

The Sheriff's Office is accepting ideas through email only, so hold off on any social media submissions.

You have through March 29 to submit name suggestions. A decision on the name will be made no later than April 2nd, and will be announced via social media.

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Three Month Old Police Puppy Practices Takedown

Police K-9 officers are an indispensable resource when it comes to keeping our neighborhoods safe. This adorable video shows a 3-month-old puppy named Taz practicing his criminal pursuit and takedown.





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Keeping Your Dog Safe From Law Enforcement: A Police Officer Shares Insight

Keeping your dog safe from law enforcement may sound like a contradictory statement, but recently there have been several tragic stories which involve family dogs being shot by police officers.

Cheryl Goede, not only has firsthand insight as a police officer, but she is also an experienced dog owner, and has been in law enforcement for the past fourteen years.

She collaborated with her husband, Kevin, who has 20 years of law enforcement background in addition to being a dog trainer, and Cindy Earnshaw, a journalist and former LEO/Animal Control officer.

Together, this threesome came up with a plethora of knowledge to share with all dog owners. The following information was written by Cheryl and should be shared with all dog owners:

If people know that the police are coming, then every effort should be made to make sure that the dogs are restrained in such a manner that they won't be able to escape. Even if you think that nothing will happen and that your dog is friendly and will not charge the officer, bark at them, etc., always expect the unexpected. Things can happen and circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. So always restrain your dogs.

Do not EVER allow your dogs to roam your neighborhood. If your dog is unrestrained and the police come to your home unexpectedly and the officer asks you to restrain your dog, do so immediately.

USE YOUR VOICE to alert the officer to your dog's NAME and loudly announce "Let me put up my dog, I am putting up my dog!" If the officer is not comfortable with the method of you restraining your dog (a dog on a retractable leash or the dog is jumping up on the fence after being placed in the backyard) and there is a chance that it is making the officer uncomfortable, immediately offer to restrain your dog further.

When you see officers in the vicinity of your home and your dog is outside, ESPECIALLY if they appear to be searching for someone/something, bring your dog inside. If it looks as though police are actively going into yards to search, don't think "I'll help the police out" and let your dog OUT, keep them in until police presence is gone. It is also a good idea put signs on your fence to indicate that there are dogs at the house and possibly in the backyard, so that officers are not taken by surprise if they are searching for someone and jump the fence to find there are dogs there. If both the officer and the dog are taken by surprise, that would put them in all in a position of defense….not good.

Do what you can to discourage your dog's excitement towards any officer or other official who is in your presence. Never tempt fate by encouraging your dog's excitement towards the officer. Dogs react differently to people in uniform, and they can and may behave in an unexpected manner.

It is imperative to remember that the legal default presumption is always that the dog owners are ultimately wholly responsible for the welfare and control of their canines.

If an officer does what was allegedly reported by the owner of Cisco, file a lawsuit against the officer, the police department, and the municipality. Under certain circumstances and under local law, it may be appropriate to file charges of animal cruelty/abuse against the officer. I don't think there was really anything his owner could have said or done in order to prevent the shooting, other than what he already did, due to the fact that the officer was pointing a gun at him and basically telling him not to move.

Kevin is hoping to create a course to help educate law enforcement officials about better communication with pet owners. He also hopes to teach law enforcement about how to read a dog's body language.

Please take a moment to share this valuable information with anyone who owns a dog. It could prevent a tragedy. Many thanks to Cheryl and Kevin Goede and Cindy Earnshaw for taking the time to put this important information together.
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Salt Lake City, Utah - Furious Man Confronts Police After Learning They Killed His Dog

Residents in Salt Lake City, Utah are up in arms after a local police officer shot and killed a man’s beloved pet dog last month while responding to a missing child report.

Authorities found the displaced toddler unharmed and sleeping inside its home around 30 minutes after they entered the yard of Sean Kendall on June 18 and killed his 110-pound Weimaraner, “Geist.”

The incident has since managed to garner the attention of animal lovers in and out of Salt Lake City after Kendall published on the web a cell phone video he recorded as he accosted the police outside his home moments after learning what had happened.

"About 15 minutes ago, I got a phone call from Utah Animal Control, calling to tell me that an officer had shot and killed my dog," Kendall says in the beginning of the clip. "He was inside my backyard in a fenced-off area. What was the cause for the officer to shoot and kill my dog?"

The footage next shows Kendall arriving at his resident in the city’s Sugar House neighborhood and furiously questioning the cops.

"What was the probable cause to trespass on private property and shoot my dog?" an outraged Kendall asks on camera.

“We entered the yard looking for a lost child,” Sgt. Joseph Cyr responds, according to Fox13Now. An officer on the scene “was threatened by the dog and shot the dog,” Cyr added. “That’s as simple as it gets.”

“So I get to bury my dog because an officer couldn’t back up and close the fucking gate,” the irate owner replies.

So far, police have only said that the dog approached the officer in an “aggressive manner,” prompting the cop to open fire.

The video has since managed to go viral, and viewers who have become outraged by the Salt Lake City Police Department’s behavior have certainly spoken up. The chief of the SLCPD has since been prompted to comment publically on the matter, a large protest was held outside of police headquarters over the weekend and even the city council has asked for an investigation.

“It’s overwhelming, the support of the community,” Kendall said at the protest on Saturday attended by hundreds, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Speaking to a local Fox News affiliate, the dog owner said he believes the officer responsible for the shooting should be disciplined justly. That law enforcement official has since been identified as detective Brett Olsen

“I believe this officer made a terrible judgment call,” Kendall told the station. “In my profession, if I make a terrible judgment I’m fired. “

“He was kind of all I had,” Kendall told Fox13 of his dog. “To me, he wasn’t just some animal. He was my best friend. He was kind of like a child. I went through raising him, training him.”

At a news conference on Friday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said he believes the officer was in the right.

"It is our responsibility that we do all we can to bring a safe resolution to the circumstances we encounter. This is a seasoned officer who has tremendous experience and has, in fact, been under fire and performed very well," Burbank said of Olsen. "I cannot in my mind imagine an officer coming forward and saying we didn't do all we could to find a missing child."

“In this particular circumstance, evidence shows that the dog was extremely close, in fact, within feet of the officer,” Burbank said. “After 23 years in law enforcement, I haven’t seen this type of public outcry when certain human beings have lost their lives,” Burbank said.

That outcry, Burbank added, has materialized in the form of complaints that he says the police department has received without end since last week.

“I absolutely demand that every single one of my officers treat the public with the respect and dignity they deserve. My officer, and officers, deserve no less,” Chief Burbank said.

Members of SLC’s city council have since written to Chief Burbank calling for a review of departmental procedures and an independent review of the shooting.

On facebook: Justice for Geist
https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforGeist

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