Sheriff Tim Guider congratulated two of his ‘Top Dogs’ that performed this week in the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 8 field trials. The trials were held at Lakeview K-9 Services in Loudon, Tennessee from April 3 – April 7. Awards were presented Friday morning to the ‘Top Dogs’ in each discipline of police dog service. The 18 competitors from eight different agencies throughout east Tennessee were tested in their abilities and skills that included explosive detection, narcotic detection, tracking, obedience, agility, evidence recovery, suspect search and criminal apprehension. The top canine teams were recognized in the areas of patrol, which combined obedience, evidence detection, suspect search and criminal apprehension; explosives detection; and narcotic detection.

Sheriff Guider congratulated Cpl. Chris Hutchens and K-9 Officer Dante on an excellent performance in Narcotics Detection as they received a score of 199.83 out of a possible score of 200 to take the ‘Top Dog’ award for that division. K-9 Dante has been with the Sheriff’s Department for three years and is a Belgian Malinois who was imported from Europe and purchased by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office through a generous donation from a couple that had both graduated from the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy.

He also congratulated Lt. Paul Curtis and K-9 Officer Damos for their performance in the Patrol Exercises of the competition. They earned a score of 691 out of a possible 700 points. Damos is a seven year old Giant Schnauzer imported from the Czech Republic. He has been with the Sheriff’s Office for two years and has proven to be a positive asset to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Michael Watkins and K-9 Officer Derro finished 3^rd in the Patrol Competition with a score of 678.33 of a possible 700 points. Derro is also a Belgian Malinois from Europe who is 10 years old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office four years.

Photo: K-9 Dante on left, K-9 Damos on right