K-9 units from three states go head-to-head for competition in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — They say that a dog is a man’s best friend. For law enforcement, those friends can lend a paw in moments when every second counts.

In an event hosted by the Alabama Department of Corrections, K-9 teams from Alabama, Florida and Georgia are competing to sniff out hidden substances like marijuana and heroin.

The K-9 Competition will be held from Oct. 8-9 at Children’s Harbor in Eclectic. The participating dogs will compete in three rounds: searching vehicles, a building and open grounds.

Jax is a five-year-old German Shepherd with a nose for narcotics. He and his handler, Capt. Quintin Jones, serve with the ADOC.

“They’re part of the family,” said Capt. Jones. “So that’s why we’re so attached to these K-9’s. And just using them on a daily basis, it’s like a God-given gift sometimes to just watch these dogs perform.”

That performance, Jones said, comes with discipline every day on the job. That means being able to search prisons, houses, and even track down felons.

“They’re not your pet, because you can’t treat ’em like your pet,” he said. “You treat ’em as your partner. So no, we don’t give ’em treats or take ’em on dog walks. No, we exercise with them, we train with them, and we put them back so that they can rest.”

Commissioner of the ADOC, John Hamm, said the competition is a good way for law enforcement to share skills. That includes training tactics for K-9s.

“Basically, having fellowship, learning from each other and having some good, wholesome competition to see who’s the best,” he said.

“When you’re a K-9 handler, and you actually have that K-9 with you, and that’s your partner, and he’s focused and well-trained- that is invaluable, Hamm added. “You know that you’ve got somebody there who can help, assist, and back you up.”

The winners of the competition will take home a plaque, and of course, honor for their team. The rivalry continues tomorrow with other tracking simulations, like finding a missing child.