AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today graduated three Troopers and three canines from an eight-week training program. These canine teams will join 42 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including six explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.
“DPS canine teams are an integral part of the department’s efforts to detect and disrupt drug trafficking and other criminal activity that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Director Steven McCraw. “We are proud that these canine officers are officially joining our ranks, and we are confident that these expertly-trained teams will work together, following their instincts, to help make Texas a safer place.”
Two of the dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense and one was donated – including a yellow Labrador Retriever, a German Shepherd and a Malaherd. The newly-trained canines will be used for drug detection.
The new dogs and their duty stations are as follows (pictured left to right above): Netti (Dumas); Kelsey (San Antonio); and Loko (San Angelo). Three additional canines who also recently completed their training will replace retiring dogs in the DPS canine program.
In the first 10 months of 2017, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 11,100 pounds of marijuana, 855 pounds of cocaine, 26 pounds of heroin, 490 pounds of methamphetamine, 280 pounds of hashish and $5.5 million in cash.
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