Wider Horizons

Cst. Rick Semenuik (Criminal Justice, 2000) and Police Service Dog Ymos (a 1-1/2 year old Belgian Malinois) form the newest Lethbridge Regional Police K9 team. Wider Horizons asked them to share a word or two about walking the beats and streets of Lethbridge (whether using two feet or four).

How many years, on average, does a K9 team work together?

Around seven years.

How long does the training last?

The K9 handler’s course is 16 weeks.

What happens when a police dog retires?

He remains at home with the handler and handler’s family as a family dog.

Where do you find the best smells in the city?

Anywhere a crime has happened.

What’s the most useful piece of information gleaned from your days at school (Lethbridge College for Cst. Semenuik and the dog academy for Ymos)?

(Cst. Semenuik) How to talk to people. (Ymos) How to find bad people.

Would you say your bite is worse than your bark?

(Cst. Semenuik) Bark is worse. (Ymos) Bite is definitely worse.

What do you do to relax on those days you are dog tired?

(Ymos) Sit in the shade and bark at pedestrians.  (Cst. Semenuik) Sit in the shade and watch Ymos bark at pedestrians.

Wider Horizons
Lethbridge College
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