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Details: Category: In The News; Hits: 1068

**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

Reported by INBTI Vice President Michael Szelc

Deputy Steve Hairston of the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office has been added to our TEAM as another Bloodhound. Joker is from Boerners bloodhounds and we got him last May at 8 weeks old. Steve and Joker have been hard at it learning TKM. On April 8, 2022 This TEAM was tested and passed certification with NAPWDA and VPWDA. On 4/10/2022 Steve was called upon to run his first trail in search of a man that was violating a protective order. When Deputies responded the male subject fled from the scene. Steve presented Joker with a scent article he obtained from the home. Joker immediately pulled through the backyard to a barn, the trail was paused so the barn could be cleared. When the trail continued Joker pulled hard up a hill and into a wooded area, at times Steve had to crawl through the thick vegetation before leading out into a ditch line where Joker was no longer pulling but was seen jumping up and down . Steve than realized Joker was jumping up and down on the man who was laying down. This TEAM has been a welcomed addition to us and what a testament to TKM. Steve was able to convey the story Joker was telling through the lead and have a successful track. I wish them all the success in the world and look forward to their future.

Details: Category: In The News; Hits: 268

**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

INBTI Vice President and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Sgt. Michael Szelc.

On 8/29/22 I was dispatched to a location where a subject with Felony warrants out of another jurisdiction and warrants on file for us, ran into a wooded area after Officers responded to a 911 call. I obtained a scent article from within the trailer and presented it to L.E. In the area he was last seen. She immediately advanced a trail leading into heavy vegetation. Working in an area the man has frequented, I could tell when she was working out hottest trail. Once worked out the pace increased, the pull was stronger, and her nose stayed buried to the ground. I turned around and told my cover Officer, “Its' on now!” After approximately a mile I saw the subject pop his head up, after commands were given, he took off running. L.E. Continued the trail which led to the apprehension of the wanted subject.

TKM teaches us how to understand the behaviors the dog exhibits while trailing. If we train correctly, we will encounter these behaviors and understand how to recognize them and how to react. There is only one way to do this. You know what I believe in.

Details: Category: In The News; Hits: 58

**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

INBTI Vice President and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Sgt. Michael Szelc.

On Wednesday, 6/2/2021 a mutual aid request for K9 assistance was made from a neighboring county. We were utilized for an investigative trail to be ran involving a homicide that had occurred on Monday, 5/31/2021 at 10 p.m. A cell phone with incriminating evidence had been recovered in a small patch of vegetation across the street where shots were fired from. The cell phone was collected and bagged by a Detective on scene and awaited our arrival.

Using the bagged scent article and placing it in the area found, it was presented to the K9. The officer that had collected it was also present so Zwei could eliminate his scent and find the missing. Zwei advanced a trail that led alongside a roadway and across several properties before entering a small walking trail in a wooded area before crossing back over the road and led behind a house and to the adjoining property where he led onto the front porch of a residence. Zwei left the porch and led a short distance from the driveway before giving a Negative alert. It was later confirmed the porch we led to was that of the owner of the cell phone and that prior to us getting there this suspect had left in a car . This has been an incredible journey, witnessing the things the dogs can accomplish using the Kocher Method does not cease to amaze me.

Details: Category: In The News; Hits: 191

**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Deputy Steve Hairston

September 2022 - Deputy Hairston and K9 Joker responded to a call for a subject that needed a mental evaluation. Prior to their arrival the subject left his residence on foot into a nearby wooded area. A pair of pants were obtained from within the residence and presented to Joker in the area the subject was last seen. Casting for the trail, Joker identified the scent and led into the woods. Crossing over several gravel and dirt roads and through heavy vegetation they continued for 1.25 miles before locating the subject laying down in the bushes. The subject was safely transported to get a mental evaluation. Another reason to component train. Good job Steve.

Details: Category: In The News; Hits: 1253

**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Cpl. Adam Reynolds.

On 8/19/2021 a call was received reporting that a subject had abducted, strangled, and assaulted his mother during a domestic altercation. The subject in question had left in his vehicle prior to Deputies arriving on scene. While responding a Deputy spotted the vehicle and subject before attempting to pull him over. A pursuit was initiated. Due to high speeds and weather the pursuit was terminated so not to endanger innocent lives. A short while later, the subjects vehicle was located at a dead end road with no one occupying it. The subject had left undetected. Cpl. A. Reynolds deployed K9 Ruger cast the area surrounding the vehicle before presenting the interior of the vehicle. Ruger committed and advanced the trail around the front of the vehicle and into a wooded area. The subject was located laying prone within heavy vegetation and taken into custody. The subject later told Deputies that he attempted to throw the dog off by throwing miscellaneous items with his scent on them so he could further elude. Ruger remained on target and led directly to him. Well done AB, this team continues to amaze me.

In the News list

In The News

Sofia Silva Award

Successful Find! Deputy Steve Hairston

Successful Find! INBTI Vice President and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Sgt. Michael Szelc.

Successful Find! Sgt. Michael Szelc 2021

Successful Find! Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Deputy Steve Hairston

Successful Find! Cpl. Adam Reynolds