Police present K-9 program as valuable to their work

Their K-9 program possibly in jeopardy, members of the Saugerties Police Department provided the Town Board this week with examples of how police dogs can accomplish tasks that can be too time-consuming for their human handlers in some cases.

Sgt. Jeremy Rushkoski said the police dogs, typically called K-9s, are able to provide skills that are a “multiplier” when responding to calls. “A K-9, due to heightened senses with its ability to smell and its ability to hear ... can make one officer seem like a lot more,” Rushkoski said at Wednesday’s meeting of the board.

“If I handle a call with an open door or an alarm activation where a burglary might be occurring, my [K-9] partner does 90 percent of the work,” Rushkoski said. “My job is to just watch [the dog], watch his body language and assist him if there is someone in the house . ... He can search an entire house in much less time than it would take me.”

Rushkoski also said the current rise in overdoses makes it imperative that police be equipped to find illegal drugs.

“By having a narcotics dog, it allows us to enhance our ability to detect drugs that are hidden in vehicles or houses,” he said.

Patrol Officer Jennifer Culver, who has trained dogs of her own, said police K-9s can be trained to not bite, even in situations where people are confused or out of control.

“They are very, very safe if you have an Alzheimer’s patient, small child, possibly a subject who may not present well when the dog approaches,” Culver said.

The Town Board is considering whether to keep the K-9 officer position, which became vacant in July with the retirement of Sgt. Michael Craft, who opted to buy his four-legged partner.

Councilman Paul Andreassen last month proposed ending the program, estimating the combined cost of the officer’s pay and caring for the dog is $100,000 to $125,000 per year.

Andreassen said Wednesday’s presentation was “convincing,” but he did not indicate if it changed his mind.

Police Capt. Stephen Filak said much of the expense of the K-9 program is covered by grants and that some costs already have been paid.

“We have a service vehicle that’s equipped for canine operation already within our fleet,” he said. “We’re also in the process of securing funding for the dog itself ... [and] we have medical care that’s provided at no cost through Saugerties Animal Hospital.”