The Life Of A Police K9 On The Job
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: March 15, 2013
As the community is trying to heal after the tragedy, many are
remembering the victims .. and that's the humans and the canine. As we
reported, the FBI tactical K9 Ape was killed in the line of duty during
Thursday's standoff in Herkimer. Ape was a Czech German Shepherd, just
two years old, and he began his tour with the FBI about one month ago.
Eyewitness News meets with the Rome Police K9 Unit.
The life of a K9 and his handler is a special one. These police dogs eat, sleep and breathe to work but their handlers say they love it, and to the police officers they work with, they're an asset to the team.
K9 Uki is trained to search for narcotics and people. But to him, he's just looking for his "toy."
"They're not actually thinking that they're looking for drugs, they're looking for their toy. Their toy is something that we use that has the scent of the narcotics inside of it. And when he locates that and its positive search and he finds that item, its very rewarding," says Fred Carnevale, Rome Police K9 handler.
And while handlers value the K9's for their skills, they also value their loyalty.
"Knowing that he does have my back, he's trained, hes certified, you develop that really strong bond with the dog," says Carnevale.
"You have a partner and that partner, that animal lives homes with you, he comes to work with you, and he goes back home with you," says Dominic Corigliano, Rome Police K9 commander.
And the Rome K9 handlers agree these dogs are more than just partners, they're a part of the family.
"That K9 handler, that bond between him and his dog, it's like being with another person," says Corigliano.
"Uki is my partner, he's like my brother, if something was to happen to him, I'd be devastated," says Carnevale.
"I've been promoted twice since my tour with K9 and you can make me Chief of Police tomorrow and I can tell you that K9 was the best part of my career," says Corigliano.
And as for K9 Ape who was killed on Thursday, his body will be returned home to Quantico, Virginia. And his name will be added to the FBI's Memorial Wall.
The Herkimer County Humane Society also announced today that they'll be dedicating their 17th Annual Mutt Strut to K9 Ape.
The life of a K9 and his handler is a special one. These police dogs eat, sleep and breathe to work but their handlers say they love it, and to the police officers they work with, they're an asset to the team.
K9 Uki is trained to search for narcotics and people. But to him, he's just looking for his "toy."
"They're not actually thinking that they're looking for drugs, they're looking for their toy. Their toy is something that we use that has the scent of the narcotics inside of it. And when he locates that and its positive search and he finds that item, its very rewarding," says Fred Carnevale, Rome Police K9 handler.
And while handlers value the K9's for their skills, they also value their loyalty.
"Knowing that he does have my back, he's trained, hes certified, you develop that really strong bond with the dog," says Carnevale.
"You have a partner and that partner, that animal lives homes with you, he comes to work with you, and he goes back home with you," says Dominic Corigliano, Rome Police K9 commander.
And the Rome K9 handlers agree these dogs are more than just partners, they're a part of the family.
"That K9 handler, that bond between him and his dog, it's like being with another person," says Corigliano.
"Uki is my partner, he's like my brother, if something was to happen to him, I'd be devastated," says Carnevale.
"I've been promoted twice since my tour with K9 and you can make me Chief of Police tomorrow and I can tell you that K9 was the best part of my career," says Corigliano.
And as for K9 Ape who was killed on Thursday, his body will be returned home to Quantico, Virginia. And his name will be added to the FBI's Memorial Wall.
The Herkimer County Humane Society also announced today that they'll be dedicating their 17th Annual Mutt Strut to K9 Ape.
