Shelter canine turns into Fort Worth police Ok-9 officer

FORT WORTH – Getting a police canine from abroad might be costly, however the Fort Worth Police Department saved loads of taxpayer money and saved a life by rescuing from town’s shelter.

The story of Fort Worth’s latest Ok-9 begins within the halls of Fort Worth Animal Control’s Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Adoption Center.

“I requested them, ‘Do you will have any high-energy dogs?’ Just form of as a joke,” Fort Worth officer Kristopher Thompson mentioned.

Thompson mentioned “Rock” rapidly handed the check to go from shelter canine to Ok-9 narcotics officer.

“It’s been very helpful in our struggle in opposition to the fentanyl disaster,” Thompson mentioned. “He can alert to heroin, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana.”

Rock’s handler, Fort Worth Police Sgt. Charles Hubbard, mentioned the 18-month-old German Shepherd has already helped with a number of arrests.

“He’ll assist any items, reminiscent of narcotics and gangs,” Hubbard mentioned. “We have the flexibility to go out and in of the airport, down on the tarmac, and go to the bags. We additionally would possibly work the parcel distribution amenities, such a DHL or UPS.”

Most Ok-9s cost about $11,000, however that wasn’t the case with Rock.

“Because he was from Fort Worth and already within the Fort Worth system, he was free to us,” Thompson mentioned.

Rock is not the primary and should not be the final shelter rescue dogs for Fort Worth police. The unit has six K9s, and three of them are shelter rescues.

“Many individuals do not realize there are high-quality dogs which were given up on or are deserted in these shelters,” Hubbard mentioned.

“We’re at all times going to take a look at shelters first as a result of we expect there’s so many good dogs at shelters,” Thompson mentioned. “I used to be simply floored once I walked into our shelter and noticed the variety of Siberian Huskies, purebred Boxer dogs, stunning German Shepherd puppies.”

The four-legged officer has a real rags to riches story, as he will get a second lease on life whereas serving to to maintain the neighborhood protected.

“I’ve acquired to assume that Rock thinks he is gained the lottery,” Thompson mentioned.

Rock additionally has a sister that the division rescued. She’s going to work in an area faculty district.