K-9s bring a bark to training

Police dogs are the celebrities of the law enforcement world.

Not even police chiefs get their names stenciled on the back of patrol cars, like Bosco from Hillsboro Police Department in Oregon. Nor do the top cops have drivers to take them to exciting places.

About 140 of the furry four-legged police icons and more than 200 people from Idaho, Oregon and Washington gathered in Spokane this week for a multiday training seminar, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of Washington State Police Canine Association.

And because the dogs needed a ride to the police academy, someone to feed them and maybe keep them in line when they get a little too aggressive, the dogs brought their partners, too.

The seminar was the largest gathering of the K-9 cops and their partners in the association’s history. Most of the dogs work on patrol, but a few can sniff out drugs and bombs. Spokane Police Department hosted the training, which wrapped up Wednesday.

Everett police Officer Joe Woods came with his dog, Hutch, an energetic 2 ½-year-old German shepherd.

Woods, who is second-generation law enforcement, said he was inspired to work with police dogs by his dad’s best friend, a K-9 officer.

“We get to all the best calls,” Woods said.

Hutch was in the company of other celebrity police dogs: Hans, Bosco, Fax, Rocky, Bruno, Dakota, Kilo, Farley and Dave all were vying to be top dog. But even if they weren’t named with the honor officially, in their minds they are always No. 1.

Spokane Police Academy Lt. Judi Carl said it was a fun week. “Just a lot of dog hair to vacuum up.”