DNR NEWS - DNR K9 team is among the best

[Mayfly]

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     
August 5, 2008

For more information, contact Rich Sprouse, public information officer,
Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement (Camp Ripley), Little Falls, MN
56345; 1-800-366-8917, Ext. 2511

DNR K9 team is among the best

Hunter, a four-legged conservation officer with the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, and his partner, Conservation Officer
Travis Muyres of Ham Lake, recently took fourth place overall honors at
the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 12 field
trials held July 20-22 in Park Rapids. The competition included 84
canine units from Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

CO Muyres, a six-year veteran of the department, has been Hunter's
handler for three years. Among the areas tested were agility, suspect
search, evidence search, obedience, and criminal apprehension. All
events are scored by USPCA certified judges.

“It’s pretty intense competition,” said Muyres, “but Hunter was
more than up to the tasks.”

Conservation officers and police officers use their K9s differently.
While police K9s are largely used for officer protection and dealing
with criminals, conservation officer K9s are used to find evidence in
game and fish investigations.

“Hunter’s been invaluable in tracking down spent shells with human
scent on them and finding hidden fish and game,” Muyres said.
“Hunter will attack someone only if I’m attacked.”

"Conservation Officer Muyres works very hard with Hunter and demands a
lot of the dog," said Colonel Mark Johanson, interim Chief Conservation
Officer. "Watching them execute a search is impressive. They're fast,
efficient and, more importantly, very accurate. They make a good team."

[attachment deleted by admin]