CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — A search and rescue K9 from right here in Southwest Florida is now the Sunshine State’s preferred deputy dog.
A March Madness-design, K9 competitors was placed on by the Florida Sheriff’s Association. It generated more than 167,000 votes with Charlotte County’s bloodhound coming out as the leading dog.
Copper’s job is basic.
“He’s going to take human odors that are on the ground, he’s going to follow it, and he’s going to lead me to wherever you’re at,” DFC Steven Sella said.
Back in 2020, Sella proposed including another bloodhound to the K9 system at CCSO.
“Then Erik Hoffer from the German Shepherd Rescue reached out because he had seen one at the local animal welfare league,” Sella said.
With long dangling ears, Copper fur and a slobbery tongue… the start of Copper’s life wasn’t the most convenient.
“He was brought back twice before they contacted us about adopting him,” Sella said. “They said he was a bite risk. However, he’s never exhibited that behavior with us.”
Within 2 weeks of adoption, Copper was schooled on utilizing his tools and was all set to get to work bringing the lost home.
So far, the duo is acknowledged as having more than 25 saves together. It’s majorly added to Copper’s nose. Sella describes it’s a dog’s natural impulse to track.
“When we walk into a house, the best example I give is, pot roast. We smell pot roast, he can walk in and distinguish each individual ingredient,” Sella said.
If you’re worried about a wandering friend or family member, CCSO has scent sets you can utilize to protect their natural smell in case Copper were ever to be required.
