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Police dogs selected from special breeders then skills tested Continued from page 1 3 · Wednesday, February 6, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Vander Heyden joined the Halton police canine unit in September, which was followed by three months of training with Bishop who is serving as a police dog for the first time. Sgt. Paul Csanyi, who also works in the canine unit, said police dogs are selected from special breeders with tests taking place well before the dog is brought to Halton. "The people who are in the business breed the dogs specifically for this purpose. Even then that doesn't guarantee you are getting a suitable candidate so we still do testing (with) the dogs. We test various disciplines, different components of the dog's abilities to see whether they are suitable," said Csanyi. "You test some of their basic instincts. Some of their basic drives, what their motivation level is, you do courage testing... that sort of stuff. We may test six or seven dogs on the same day and find out all may not be suitable just because they don't pass the basic baseline test." As it was, Bishop was selected to come back Inside Opinion............................................6 Artscene.........................................16 Sports.............................................18 Classified........................................21 to Halton where he and Vander Heyden trained in tracking, obedience, criminal apprehension, building searches and drug detection. After completing his training, Bishop became one of four police dogs within the Halton police canine unit. He replaces seven-year-old Juno who is now making the transition from police dog to pet following a leg injury. Vander Heyden said the training has been challenging. "I've had dogs my whole life, but I've never had a dog that can do the things a police dog can do. At home you are hoping your dog can sit and stay. These guys are finding an article in a wooded area, they're tracking a suspect for a kilometre," said Vander Heyden. "You have to rely on your dog and trust him and make sure you are using him properly. You follow him wherever he goes and, hopefully, he takes you to the right spot." Even when the dog becomes part of the police service, the training continues with the Full Delivery: RMP Athletic Locker, Barbecues Galore, Real Estate, RONA, National Sports dog's skills tested each week. The high level of training is essential for making sure the dog does what it is told when it hits the street. A police dog has the ability to cause significant injuries, but like with any other weapon in the police arsenal their use must be justified. Vander Heyden said the dog is trained to attack if its handler is being harmed. The dog would also bite, he said, if given the order to apprehend a suspect by the handler. While unleashing Bishop on someone who had shoplifted a chocolate bar from a store would not be justified, Vander Heyden said, unleashing him on someone who had just robbed a bank and fleeing police might be. "We're always going to tell him to stop, warn him, `We will send the dog if you don't stop.' Then the dog gets loose and the dog is going to catch you. He's got four legs, you've got two, so he can run a little faster," said Vander Heyden. Even then, he said, it is not too late for the criminal to avoid a bite. "If he stops, the dog will not engage," said Vander Heyden. "The dog will stop one foot from him and See Crime-fighting page 7 LUNCH AND LEARN ABOUT INVESTMENT FEES DATES Wednesday, February 13th Thursday, February 14th Lunch : 12:00pm - 12:45pm Partial Delivery: Peoples Jewellers, Staples/Business Depot, Home Depot For home delivery & customer service call (905) 631-6095 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. New subscriptions call (905) 631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Let's Play Bingo! DELTA BINGO OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 483 Speers Rd. Oakville,(905) LOCATION Peter Watson Investments 220 Randall Street, Downtown Oakville MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Peter Watson Free Parking www.deltabingo.com 842-0876 To reserve your seats email us at info@peterwatsoninvestments.com or call us at (905) 842-2100 Ext: 2 (24 hours) www.peterwatsoninvestments.com Don't Compromise on Driver Training · MTO Approved UPCOMING COURSES February 9,10,23,24 · 20 hours in class · 10 hours online · 10 hours in car (automatic) OR · 12 hours in car (manual) Beginner Driver Education Program Provider (skips Family Day weekend) Sat & Sun 2 Weekends 9:30am to 3:30pm March Break March 11,12,13,14 Mon,Tues,Wed,Thurs 9:30am to 3:30pm March 23,24 April 6,7 (skips Easter) Sat & Sun 2 Weekends 9:30am to 3:30pm www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200