The Associated Press
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) - Three local police dogs will head to Alabama this fall to take part in a national K-9 competition.
Sterling Heights Police dogs, Morgan, Johnny and Wargo, took first, second and third in a regional competition in Brighton last month, qualifying them for nationals.
Forty dogs and their handlers from police departments in Ohio, Illinois, Canada and Michigan competed in the annual certification contest, The Detroit News reported in a Friday story.
“Nothing has ever been done like that before,” said Officer Richard Heins, who works with Morgan, the 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd who took first place. “It was pretty amazing, actually.”
Heins, Darren Steele, Johnny’s handler, and Walt Smith, who works with Wargo, each said their dogs excel because they’re so well-trained. Training for the officers and the dogs has become a hobby.
“Instead of going golfing on the weekends, we train our dogs,” Heins said.
Winning the top three places in a regional K-9 competition isn’t a common feat, said Russell Hess, executive director of the United States Police Canine Association in Springboro, Ohio.
“I have seen Morgan, Johnny and Wargo compete and ... they are three of the top police service dogs in the U.S.,” Hess said.
All three dogs will travel to Huntsville, Alabama Nov. 6-12 for the national K-9 competition. Last year, Morgan finished third and Wargo placed 23rd at the nationals.
Out of 700 points at last months regionals, Morgan earned 685, Johnny 683 and Wargo 682.
Each dog cost the department about $8,000 to purchase and train, which is paid for with drug forfeiture money.