Law enforcement trains for furry companions

EAST COUNTY — What has four legs, loves hide-and-seek, is certified by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and will neighbor two East County schools?

Eight K-9 deputies and their handlers, who will soon become familiar faces to Braden River High and Manatee Technical Institute faculty members, students and their parents.

In about a month, the Sheriff’s Office will start utilizing land adjacent to the two schools for the training of K-9 deputies — German Shepherd and other dog breeds that accompany law enforcement on certain cases. On the two acres of land located at 6545 State Road 70 E., officers, or handlers, will conduct obedience training with the dogs — a vital component needed for the Sheriff’s Office to utilize the canines.

“Training between dog and handler is ongoing,” said Dave Bristow, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. “This type of training is very important; it builds trust between dog and owner. The deputy has to teach the canine to be able to obey commands.”

The Manatee County School District approved the Sheriff’s Office use of the land for training in September. The Sheriff’s Office will lease the land for five years for a total cost of $10.

Training schedules have not yet been set because the Sheriff’s Office continues to prepare the lot for use.
Fencing will enclose a 210-by 210-foot space, in which certain training activities will be held.

Although the dogs are trained to hunt suspects and may seem intimidating to on-looking parents picking up their child from school, Bristow hopes the visibility of K-9 deputy training will receive positive feedback from the community.

The dogs will never be left unattended or overnight, Bristow said.

“The space will just be a training area, which is really what we need right now,” Bristow said. “The dogs live with their handlers, so it’s not like we need a kennel or anything along those lines.”