Crime & Safety

New K-9s Ready to Take Bite Out of Crime in Pinellas County

Six dogs and their handlers recently graduated and are ready to begin their careers in local law enforcement.

Look out, criminals: There are some new K-9s in town.

Six police dogs and their handlers recently completed their four-month training with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and are ready for duty at area law enforcement agencies.

Graduating in Thursday's ceremony at the sheriff's K-9 compound in Pinellas Park and ready to take a bite out of crime are:

  • Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy Brad Byers and K-9 "Hector"
  • Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy Jacob Viano and K-9 "Chief"
  • Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputy Jeff Andrews and K-9 "Valor"
  • Pinellas Park Police Officer Joshua Pringle and K-9 "Nyko"
  • St. Petersburg Police Officer Jonathan Vazquez and K-9 "Ares"
  • Tarpon Springs Police Officer Tommy Nguyen and K-9 "Dobies"
During their training, K-9s learn obedience commands, bite work, building searches, tracking and human odor response.

After being on the road and patrolling the streets with their partners, some K-9s will have a chance to continue their training in narcotic and explosive detection, the sheriff's office said.


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