DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has added two additional canines to its jail and field divisions.
The K-9s, imported from Europe, joined the sheriff’s office at the end of 2015.
Astor, a 15-month old German shorthaired Pointer, is assigned to the Jail Emergency Services Team and has the ability to detect both drugs and electronics, such as cellphones. The previous lithium-detection dog died in 2014 after developing serious health complications.
The DeKalb County Jail is now the only one in the area with a lithium-detection dog.
Tomi, a 20-month-old German shepherd, is assigned to the Field Division and can detect illegal drugs and track suspects.
The new canines join “Viper,” a veteran Belgian Malinois in the Field Division.
“Our canine deputies add special value to operations inside the jail, in the courthouse, and out in the community,” Sheriff Jeff Mann said in a statemen. “Their unique law enforcement skills and training equip them to serve specific purposes as partners with our officers. The duties they perform greatly expand our capabilities.”
Officers selected to become handlers were required to complete a four-week K-9 handler course.
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