By Jeff Labine

Police pooches valuable partners

Feb 2, 2017 | 4:00 PM

Febee and Daxa don’t talk a lot with their partners Constables Mike Chow and Kelsey Bighetty but when the paws hit the pavement, the two pooches don’t hold back.

The two German Shepherds are part of the Prince Albert Police Service’s K9 unit and tackle the more serious situations like tracking down suspects and finding drugs. While many dogs have come and gone in the 40 years since the police service started the K9 unit, Febee and Daxa have the distinction of being the first female canines to serve.

Chow, who has been with the police service for nine years, said the animals have no fear when they are called into action. He said while they are a tool to fight crime, he sees Febee as much more than that.

“She’s my partner,” Chow said. “She comes to work with me every day when I’m working. They are a tool but to me she’s more my partner. Every time we use them, they are a huge benefit.”

Bighetty agreed and joked Daxa does what she’s told and doesn’t talk back.

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Generally, police dogs stay in active service for roughly five years. The dog’s energy level and willingness to do the tasks necessary are also taken into account if the canine should keep going. When a dog is ready to retire, the handler often has the first offer to give the pup a home.

In 2012 when police dog Ray retired after more than five year of service, his partner Const. Craig Mushka took him home.

Chow said Febee already sees his house as her home.

“Both of our dogs have good on/off switches,” he said. “So they can tell work apart from home life. My dog when I’m at home is completely different than when she’s working.”

Bighetty said there’s a misconception police dogs are always on and are very vicious, which simply isn’t true.

“They think these are the scariest dog and scariest thing that we have at the police force,” he said. “You know what? They really aren’t. They are very social dogs. We had these dogs around kids, toddlers, we’ve taken them into hospitals.”

Both Chow and Bighetty wanted to join the K9 unit because of their love of dogs. Each received a 16-week course on how to handle the animals. Bighetty explained police compete for the opportunity to be in the unit which requires a lot of physical fitness. Part of the testing includes a four-mile run within a time limit.

Although working with a dog can be challenging, Bighetty said it is worth the extra hassle.

“I grew up with dogs,” he said. “To make a living and to work with dogs and get paid for it and doing something you love, it’s pretty amazing.”

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter