Not all shelter Pit Bulls are given a chance to live happy lives. Most of them are left unadopted, or worse, euthanized. Two shelter Pit Bulls were lucky to be given an opportunity to a life of happiness and purpose when a sheriff’s department took a chance on them.
The nonprofit organization, Animal Farm Foundation, rescued the two Pit Bulls, Phantom and Sarah, and they were trained as police dogs by Universal K9 in Texas.
The two organizations joined forces to help police departments across America to find other options for police dogs. Typically, these departments need to spend $15,000 to $20,000 to acquire purebred Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd to be deployed in the K9 units. But with the combined efforts of Animal Farm Foundation and Universal K9, shelter dogs are given a chance to serve with law enforcement all over the country.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office welcomed the Pit Bulls Phantom and Sarah to their department. The two finally met their human counterparts – Investigator Heath Woodard and Deputy Chris Harper. They christened the two police dogs as K-9 Phantom and K-9 Sarah, and together, they went through a rigorous training program. They searched cars, buildings, and airplanes looking for illegal drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and others.
According to Deputy Harper, both Sarah and Phantom are trained exclusively for narcotics detection. Being single purpose dogs, the two Pit Bulls cannot be used for bite work or criminal apprehension. Investigator Woodard added that Phantom and Sarah working for their department serve as a reminder that their breed can be just as good as other dogs deployed in various K9 units.
According to Clay County Sheriff’s Office, this unique program of acquiring shelter dogs saves a lot of money for the department. Instead of cashing out on expensive dog breeds, the department can partner with the nonprofit organizations to take in Phantom and Sarah’s likes.
Deputy Harper and Investigator Woodard have nothing but kind words towards their new partners. Both Phantom and Sarah are fantastic police dogs – dedicated and focused. But when off duty, the two dogs are sweet and gentle and loved their human partners to bits. Deputy Harper and Investigator Woodard are both honored to be working with the two – and look forward to years of duties in the police force.
credits: Universal K9
