By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A regional K-9 convention with dogs and handlers from 23 police departments in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia is being conducted in Hartselle this week. The event is sanctioned by the United States Police Canine Association and is being staged on the old Legion Park property on North Railroad Street.
On Monday and Tuesday, dogs and handlers were grilled on patrol efficiency, using hand and voice commands. They were tested and evaluated on responses to narcotics and explosives Wednesday and Thursday. An awards luncheon was planned on Friday.
"This is the first time we've had the opportunity to host this event and we've looked forward to the opportunity to welcome representatives of outside agencies into the city," Hartselle Police Chief Ron Puckett said. This enables our officers to get a good feel of what is happening in the K-9 field, especially in those areas where dogs are being used for patrol duty as well as tracking and scent."
"It also gives Hartselle some outside exposure. The trials are open to the public and anyone interested in watching the dogs and handlers work is invited," he added. Mike Posey, Region 22 president, said the convention enables the dogs and their handlers to be evaluated against strict national standards as well as to compete against one another. "Those scoring 70 percent or higher will receive USPCA certification," he pointed out," and they'll all work hard to land high in the overall point standings."