Hanceville library hosts CCSO K9 Unit

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office brought its K9 Unit to the Shirley Burden Public Library on June 25, to teach what it takes to be a heroic rescue dog.

Lt. Chad Whaley introduced the officers who care for the dogs and explained what the dogs specialize in: tracking, detecting narcotics and finding explosives. He said the CCSO K9 Unit began in the 1990s and started with two dogs. The unit has nine today. Whaley also answered questions about how long it takes for the dogs to track down drugs and people.

The first dog introduced was Kira, a German Shorthaired Pointer and the only dog in the unit who is trained to detect bombs and explosives. She is handled by Sgt. Terry Smith.

Deputy Adam Clark introduced the children to Belgian Malinois Big, who specializes in finding narcotics.

Bloodhound Moo, handled by Sgt. Tanner Waldrep, focuses on rescues and tracking. According to Waldrep, the longest distance Moo covered to track someone was almost 2 miles. Moo is a rescue dog.

Copyright 2025 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.