[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H1531-H1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL K-9 VETERANS DAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana). Under the
Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2017, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Yoho) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the
majority leader.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, in my previous life, before Congress--I am a
veterinarian in the practice for 30 years--I have had the pleasure of
taking care of all of God's creatures. It has been a privilege, a
pleasure, and an honor.
So much is going on in Washington and the world, and we hear a lot of
bad things going on, so tonight we are going to do a Special Order
honoring K-9 Veterans Day, March 13. This evening, my colleagues and I
would like to take a moment and pay tribute to the thousands of working
dogs that serve our Nation.
They serve in the military. They serve in the fire department, the
police department, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. They serve in your
neighbor's house next door to alert people of intruders, maybe a fire,
or finding a lost child. There is a group of people who do search and
rescue only on a volunteer basis.
These unsung heroes, our K-9s, serve our Nation in many ways. Their
contributions to our neighborhoods, communities, towns, cities, States,
and even Nation cannot be overstated.
The biggest thank-you goes out to all of these K-9s serving our
Nation's military and working to keep the homeland safe both here and
abroad, as well as our local law enforcement K-9s. Tonight we honor
you.
Over the past few months, I have had the honor of getting to know the
working K-9s and their handlers that serve
[[Page H1532]]
Florida's Third Congressional District. After great visits,
demonstrations, discussions--and I even had the experience yesterday
with our team in our district; I experienced the subdued tactics of
these dogs, wearing protective gear, of course--I am convinced more
than ever that these amazing animals and their handlers need support
and recognition for the incredible work that they do.
It is not just in north central Florida and northeast Florida. You
can find these selfless heroes in all districts all across our great
country. Whether it is checking the stadiums top to bottom, which,
incidentally, yesterday, when we got to talking to the different
sheriff's organizations, they said, at every Gator game at the
University of Florida, the dogs check the entire stadium.
For those who have been to Gator Nation and seen our stadium there,
it is a huge stadium, as all are, and they check it before every game,
every basketball game, every big venue, and these dogs are out there
working to keep Americans safe. Whether it is checking, as I said, the
stadiums top to bottom for explosives or narcotics prior to big
sporting events or helping find a missing person or being there at just
the right moment when an officer is in need of backup, these K-9s
deserve to have their stories heard tonight.
Tonight we celebrate National K-9 Veterans Day. My colleagues and I
intend to do just that. While we celebrate their services tonight, I
want to encourage all Members to do what they can to support these K-
9s, their handlers, and the departments they represent.
National K-9 Veterans Day began in World War I, when the most famous
K-9, Sergeant Stubby, shined a spotlight on the incredible working dogs
and the value they bring to our national service. Brigadier General
Scott Perry is going to talk about Stubby more tonight, so I will leave
that for him.
{time} 1930
In Vietnam, nearly 4,000 dogs actively served, and in Iraq, these
dogs were critical in sniffing out deadly IEDs. Since then, these dogs
have served in our military and law enforcement, working hard to keep
Americans safe. We owe not just today to these K-9s, but a thanks every
day for their service.
To begin tonight, I would recognize the K-9 teams that serve in my
home district and will share many of their stories here tonight.
However, I want to start with one of my favorites from the Alachua
County Sheriff's Office.
In December 2017, in the far northern reaches of rural Alachua
County, a previous victim of domestic violence and battery was walking
out to meet detectives when she heard the voice of her assailant
calling to her from the darkness. Terrified, she ran back inside,
called 911, and deputies responded in an effort to catch the suspect
with active warrants that included kidnapping and sexual assault.
Deputy Sheriff Chris Drake and K-9 Rous arrived, knowing full well
that the suspect had not only stolen the victim's car with a gun inside
earlier, but dug a hole and buried himself to elude a helicopter
searchlight and a floor camera the night before. With that information,
Chris and his dog, Rous, began to track the suspect.
Lifting K-9 Rous over some fences and cutting their way through
others, Deputy Drake and others continued following the suspect's scent
until, as Drake's report reads: ``Rous . . . still smelling human odor
. . . ears forward, and staring intently . . . identified something
lying in the water . . . the man stood up from the water . . . turned
north into the woods and disappeared.''
Continuing their track, K-9 Rous and Deputy Drake again found the
suspect hiding in a separate swamp, with only his back exposed. That is
not a good thing with a catch dog.
When challenged, the felon fled again, and K-9 Rous was released to
catch him. K-9 Rous ran into the water, swam briefly, and apprehended
the suspect on the arm, enduring punches to the head and holding on
until deputies could arrive and assist, placing the suspect in
handcuffs for a trip to the hospital and then jail.
These deputies and their K-9 partners are on the road every day,
working 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, supporting every local law
enforcement patrol task and providing mutual aid to our neighboring
jurisdictions when called upon.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham),
another veterinarian.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, today is National K-9 Veterans Day. As a
member of the Veterinarian Caucus, I rise to commemorate the service of
our four-legged friends who assist our military and police force in
keeping our Nation and our communities safe.
Though the War Dogs program, or K-9 Corps as it is commonly known,
was first established during World War II, dogs have been assisting our
soldiers since pit bulls were used for security during the Civil War.
On March 13, 1942, the K-9 Corps was officially born and became
immediately effective. Dogs were used in the Pacific theater, where it
has been said that the Japanese never ambushed or made a surprise
attack on a patrol led by one of these dogs. It is estimated that the
Army employed 1,500 dogs in the Korean war and 4,000 dogs during the
Vietnam war.
With noses 100,000 times as sensitive as humans, our soldiers
continue to use them today to sniff for bombs in places like Iraq and
Afghanistan. One named Cairo was even used to sniff for bombs around
Osama bin Laden's compound during the raid to take him down.
Just like soldiers, these dogs go through rigorous training to serve
our Nation. Their courage, loyalty, and acumen have saved countless
lives. We appreciate their service and the service of their trainers
and the soldiers who use them on the battlefield.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, next I yield to the gentleman from my
Pennsylvania, Brigadier General Scott Perry, my good friend.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I also want to join my friends in honoring
National K-9 Veterans Day.
Every March 13, we commemorate the United States Army's first K-9
Corps training program. While this program began in 1942, the history
of our ``best friend'' engaging in training and combat with us extends
well beyond that date.
Today, we commemorate the iconic Sergeant Stubby. If you don't know
about Stubby, Sergeant Stubby was a brindle bull terrier mutt from New
Haven, Connecticut. Stubby was adopted by U.S. Army Private Robert
Conroy, who stowed him away on a ship bound for France in the First
World War, where his service was integral to saving American lives.
Stubby was allowed to join our soldiers on the front lines after he was
discovered by Private Conroy's commanding officer. Because Stubby
rendered a salute to the commander, he was allowed to stay.
While on the front, he was once injured during a gas strike and
developed a unique sensitivity to the smell of chemical weapons used at
that time. His sensitivity was used to alert sleeping troops to another
gas attack. He rescued them on numerous occasions from an ill and very
painful fate.
Sergeant Stubby also thwarted a German spy attempting to map out the
battlefield of the Allied trenches. He did that by grabbing onto the
German soldier, biting him and subduing him until the American soldiers
could arrive.
Sergeant Stubby served in 17 separate battles during World War I.
Private Conroy's grandson, Curt Deane, recalled stories about Stubby:
``My grandmother was always clear: he was a service dog. He gave the
troops comfort . . . and support. He used to run through the trenches
and warn them about gas attacks. He used to go outside of the trenches
and into this sort of no man's land between the U.S. and the German
trenches and stand by soldiers who had been injured until the medics
could come and get them.''
Sergeant Stubby became a lifetime member of the American Legion and
was recognized as the mascot of Georgetown University in the 1920s,
where Private Conroy then studied law. In 1921, Stubby was awarded the
Humane Education Society's Hero Dog gold medal and earned the honor of
meeting General John ``Blackjack'' Pershing, the highest ranking
servicemember since General George Washington, at that time.
Sergeant Stubby died in Private Conroy's arms on March 16, 1926.
Today, Sergeant Stubby is set to be immortalized in an animated film
[[Page H1533]]
premiering next month. That will be great for us all to see. His
loyalty, bravery, and selflessness is the legacy for thousands of
service dogs being trained at any given time in all branches of our
military, as well as our local, State, and Federal law enforcement
agencies.
While we aren't yet able to measure the exact number of lives saved
by service dogs, one thing is certain: dogs really are a man's and
woman's best friend. We are forever grateful and indebted to these
animals and applaud them, their handlers and caretakers for their
tireless service and devotion to duty and showing us the true meaning
of ``battle buddy.''
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Pennsylvania,
Brigadier General Scott Perry, for sharing that story.
The attitude and loyalty of the dog is amazing, as well as the
singularity of purpose in their drive and ambition.
Like I said, yesterday, we got to experience police K-9 dogs going
after a victim. I was the victim. I had a glove on my arm. But we saw
the intent and the way those dogs focus. They showed us a demonstration
of sniffing out gunpowder. They hid it in a big room with all sorts of
explosives. These dogs just go to task and don't complain. I think
there is a lesson we all can learn from.
I thank the gentleman for his participation and for his story. I look
forward to that movie. It is funny how people say dogs can't talk, but
we know they do through their body language. That is why movies like
that that highlight the actions of an animal, especially dogs, do so
well. I know that will be a blockbuster.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones).
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for hosting this
tonight for us to talk about the importance of these dogs. They are
more than dogs; they are buddies to our men and women in uniform who
have been fighting for America.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, I had the honor and the pleasure of
meeting John Burnam, retired United States Army combat infantryman and
dog handler during the Vietnam war. He approached me with the idea of a
War Dog Memorial to honor our great K-9 veterans.
John shared with me the impact that these animals had on him and his
fellow handlers in the sixties. They are forever emotionally grateful
for their K-9 buddies.
Through this relationship, as we began to work on a War Dog Memorial
in 2007, which took several years, a marine named Dustin Lee was killed
in the Iraq war. John had written a story. He wanted me to read the
story and then speak out and reach out to General Regner, United States
Marine Corps, and ask him to please retire this wonderful animal named
Lex, a German shepherd, who had also been wounded with his master, and
ask General Regner to reach out to the Air Force to retire Lex.
I want to read briefly the story that John had written and given to
me. I will read five paragraphs from the article, ``My Partner
Dustin.''
``I'm a U.S. Marine and the primary element of a two-member team
trained to hunt and locate explosives. My partner and I trained as a
team for many months honing our expertise to save American lives in the
war on terrorism in Iraq.
``It's March 21, 2007, and I'm on the job in Fallujah, Iraq, when an
enemy-fired rocket propelled grenade explodes in our midst. I'm blasted
to the ground and stunned. My head is ringing and my body feels numb.
My eyes can't quite focus on anything.
``My partner is lying next to me severely wounded and bleeding. I
move to him and touch him, but he's not responding. I feel sharp pains
in my side and back. I'm bleeding but deal with it and concentrate on
comforting my partner and protecting him from further harm.
``Everything's happening so fast that I'm disorientated and confused.
My senses pick up the lingering smell of burnt powder and smoke from
the explosion. I hear lots of American voices and heavy boot steps
hurrying all around us. They reach our location and immediately attend
to my partner, then carry him away. I'm separated from my partner for
the first time. I'm not clear of thought, and then I, too, am carried
way but to a different hospital.
``I'm in a building lying on a table with lights above and people
talking. Still dazed and confused, I hear a strange voice saying my
name, `Lex.' I gesture a slight reflex of acknowledgment. `Lex, you are
going to be okay buddy. Just lay still. We are going to take care of
your wounds, so stay calm okay, Lex?' My eyes dart around the room
searching for my partner, but he's not there and no one can interpret
my thoughts.''
The partner died.
I was called by John Burnam to read this story. I sent this story to
General Mike Regner. I said: Mike, we need to retire this dog for the
family.
Mr. Speaker, the family lived in Mississippi. I didn't know them.
This story, which I include in the Record, touched my heart.
``My Partner Dustin''
(By John C. Burnam, December 21, 2007)
I'm a U.S. Marine and the primary element of a two-member
team trained to hunt and locate explosives. My partner and I
trained as a team for many months honing our expertise to
save American lives in the War on Terrorism in Iraq.
It's March 21, 2007 and I'm on the job in Fallujah, Iraq
when an enemy fired Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) explodes
in our midst. I'm blasted to the ground and stunned. My head
is ringing and my body feels numb. My eyes can't quite focus
on anything.
My partner is lying next to me severely wounded and
bleeding. I move to him and touch him but he's not
responding. I feel sharp pains in my side and back. I'm
bleeding but deal with it and concentrate on comforting my
partner and protecting him from further harm.
Everything's happening so fast that I'm disorientated and
confused. My senses pick up the lingering smell of burnt
powder and smoke from the explosion. I hear lots of American
voices and heavy boot-steps hurrying all around us. They
reach our location and immediately attend to my partner, then
carry him away. I'm separated from my partner for the first
time. I'm not clear of thought and then I too am carried way
but to a different hospital.
I'm in a building lying on a table with lights above and
people talking. Still dazed and confused I hear a strange
voice say my name, ``Lex!'' I gesture a slight reflex of
acknowledgement. ``Lex! You are going to be okay buddy! Just
lay still. We are going to take care of your wounds, so stay
calm okay, Lex?'' My eyes dart around the room searching for
my partner, but he's not there and no one can interpret my
thoughts.
Later, I'm released from the hospital and well enough to
travel so they transfer me from Iraq to a U.S. Marine Corp
base in Albany, Georgia. I really miss my partner, Dusty. I
know something has happened to him because he would never
have left me alone for so long.
Yes, my name is Lex. I'm a seven year old German shepherd
Military Working Dog, service number E132. My master and
loyal partner is Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee, 20 year old U.S.
Marine Corps canine handler from Quitman, Mississippi. I'm
well disciplined to my master's commands and expertly trained
to sniff out bombs and explosives. Where's my master, Dusty,
my partner? No one can understand me but Dusty. Where's
Dusty?
Iraq was to be my last combat tour before retirement. Dusty
talked to me all the time about going home and adopting me. I
sure do miss him. He is the best friend I've ever had. I love
that crazy Marine from Mississippi!
No one can measure the love and unconditional loyalty I
have for Dusty. I'd sacrifice my own life for him and he
knows it. I just wish I could have stopped that RPG or pushed
Dusty away from that powerful blast. It all happened in a
blink of an eye and I didn't see it coming until it was too
late. Now I sit alone in my kennel-run waiting for the day
Dusty shows up.
The U.S. Marines are treating me very well. I get enough
food and water and exercise each day. And the veterinarian
comes by to examine my wounds on a regular basis. I just
can't sleep well at night. I wake up to every little noise
and I think about Dusty. Where can that Marine be?
The nights are long. The days turn into weeks. Still no
Dusty! My wounds are healing and my hair is growing back. The
pain is still in my back but I can walk okay. I have a piece
of shrapnel near my spine that the veterinarians avoid
removing for fear of worse complications. I have spent twelve
weeks in rehabilitation after my surgery and declared
physically unable to perform in a combat zone.
One of the dog handlers gave me a real good bath and
grooming. I felt so refreshed because I was on my way to meet
Dusty's family. Maybe Dusty will be there waiting for me.
When I arrived I sensed something was not quite right. Dusty
wasn't there and everyone was sad, but very happy to greet
me. I then realized that I was attending Dusty's funeral.
Everyone showed up to pay their respects.
Dusty is a real American hero and he was buried with full
military honors. I was so proud to have been his last best
friend and
[[Page H1534]]
partner. At one particular moment of total silence during the
ceremony, I sniffed a slight scent in the air that was very
familiar. It smelled like Dusty. I figured he sent me a
signal that he knew I was there! I wagged my tail and moaned
a sigh of grief that he would only hear and understand. I
just about lost my tail in that horrible explosion and the
veterinarian fixed it so it still wags okay.
I was greeted by the Lee family with joy in their hearts.
The picture is of Dustin's mom, Rachel, and me in church. It
felt so warm and comfortable to be with my partner's loving
family. I wanted to stay but I was escorted away after the
funeral and back to Albany, Georgia. What is going to happen
to me now?
Wait a minute! I was due for retirement, right? Why did the
military take me to see Dusty's family and not leave me
there? I belong with them in Mississippi not here in Georgia.
The Lee family adopting me would not be too much to ask
considering they will never again see their son, grandson,
brother, nephew and friend. Adopting me will keep a big part
of Dusty's life alive for them and for me. I will enable
Dusty's family to experience what he already knew about me. I
loved and protected him everywhere we went and even on the
battlefield in Iraq. It's time the U.S. Marine Corps allowed
Dustin's family to adopt me. I'm not a young pup anymore, you
know! I'm a senior of retirement age. I want to spend last
years of my life with the Lee family. It's where I now
belong!
It's been eight long months since we buried my partner,
Dustin, and all attempts by the Lee family to adopt me have
failed. The Marines have placed me back on duty training new
recruits. My back bothers me some but I'm an expert on the
job. It's the recruits that have a lot to learn about keeping
their eyes on me and understanding my body language. Dustin
and I bonded as a team and our minds were always in sync.
There has been a turn of events in my adoption. U.S.
Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina heard my story
and immediately contacted the U.S. Marine Corps Commandant at
the Pentagon in Washington D.C. requesting my urgent release.
The Marines really showed off their compassion for the Lee
family and me too! They even dispatched a veterinarian to
give me a complete final medical examination. I feel a sense
of excitement I haven't felt in a very long time. I even have
a prance in my step!
That's a Christmas picture of me and Dusty in Iraq,
December 2006. That's me smiling with the Lee family and some
of Dusty's Marine pals at the funeral in Quitman,
Mississippi, April 2007.
The top Marine brass and the veterinarian signed the
official papers saying I'm A-OK to be adopted. I got an
honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps on December
21, 2007, the anniversary day of Dustin's death. I will be
home with the Lee family for Christmas.
That's a picture of me greeting the Lee family at my
retirement ceremony at the U.S. Marine Corps base, Albany,
Georgia, December 21, 2007. The news media was everywhere! My
adoption even made the nightly news on national television.
I'm the first Marine Corps combat veteran working dog to ever
be retired to the family of a fallen Marine.
Dusty? I'm sure you had a lot to do with all this from
heaven. And I can hardly wait to visit your room and lie down
on your bed and sniff your boots and clothes. Living with
your family will be like having you around again, Dusty!
Always Faithful,
Lex (E132),
German Shepherd, Military Working Dog, U.S. Marine Corps
Veteran (Retired).
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I called him and I said: Mike, this family
has lost everything, their son. They want Lex to retire and live out
the rest of his life.
He had shrapnel in his back.
So, the Air Force agreed with General Regner and retired the dog.
That dog spent 8 years with the family of the marine who was killed.
I went over to Walter Reed on a regular basis during the Iraq war,
and I never will forget a young Army guy who had lost his leg. He told
me the story. He was a dog handler of a platoon and waiting for the dog
to go out and sniff an IED. The dog goes out, finds the IED, and turns
around and looks at the platoon. Then the IED exploded.
There are so many of these stories that it is hard to even get a
record of them.
{time} 1945
In closing, I wanted to thank former President George W. Bush. He
signed the bill to erect a War Dog Memorial at Lackland Air Force Base.
John Burnam deserves so much credit. He got the private sector to pay
for the memorial at Lackland Air Force Base. So the dogs that Mr. Yoho
and others have spoken about tonight will never be forgotten. There is
a memorial for them and the work they have done for this country.
I want to say that, to me, of all the things--I have been in Congress
20 years--but when you touch a dog, you touch a child. These dogs have
done so much to save the children who are now soldiers, marines,
airmen, and sailors, to save those people from being killed by IEDs and
the enemy.
So, again, I thank Mr. Yoho very much for putting this together, and
I thank God that we can always remember that an animal is a gift from
God as much as we are as human beings.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from North Carolina.
And I love that story. That is a great story. What you touched on is
the loyalty, the trust, the integrity of these working dogs--not only
in the work they do, but when they come back to the home--of what they
do. It is unconditional love and unconditional loyalty.
We should take a lesson from that as humans, shouldn't we?
Mr. JONES. Amen.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to tell a story
from my district, and this deals with seizing the drugs and profits
that arm criminals: As part of their regularly assigned duties with the
Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force, Sergeant Bryan Jones and K-
9 Jerry responded to assist another agent with a traffic stop on
Interstate 75. Despite a series of efforts by the suspect, like those
seen on television to hide contraband in hidden compartments, K-9 Jerry
couldn't be fooled--locating nearly $100,000 in cash and over a
kilogram of narcotics. It is just amazing how these dogs know what to
do and they are so good at it. They smell things that we can't even
think about with their sensory perception.
Another story is rescuing those that need our help: In February 2018,
the Florida Highway Patrol contacted the Alachua County Sheriff's
Office after finding an abandoned vehicle along Interstate 75 near San
Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. It appeared as though the driver,
diagnosed with a mental illness and having fled his home in south
Florida, may have wandered into the park and its over 7,000 acres of
forest, sinkholes, rattle snakes, ponds, alligators, and trails.
Deputy Sheriff Lloyd O'Quinn and K-9 Eins began tracking the subject
through the woods until becoming physically exhausted in the heat.
Deputy Sheriff James Riley and K-9 Knight, Deputy Sheriff Esau Bright
and K-9 Rosco, Deputy Sheriff Chris Drake and K-9 Rous, and Sergeant
Michael Hurlocker and K-9 Havok all responded and relieved one another
with tracking throughout the park.
After tracking and searching the wooded area for several hours, and
with the help of the prison bloodhounds sent to assist from the Florida
Department of Corrections, the driver was safely located and was
provided the treatment he needed at an area hospital to the relief of
his family and friends far away.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia,
Tom Garrett, a good friend of mine that served in our military in the
Army.
Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Yoho), on this day when we honor dogs that serve
honorably, just like the women and men who serve our country, for
putting on this Special Order.
Anyone who has ever had a dog understands the depths of the bonds
that can develop between human beings and their four-legged friends. I
can remember every single dog that we have ever owned. I can remember
how each one died. I can remember being there when two died. I never
had the discipline or the opportunity or honor to serve with the
working dogs that defend not just our country abroad, but also here at
home. But as I say, of my time in the military, I am not a hero, but I
have gotten to meet some.
In researching for this opportunity to honor those four-legged heroes
and those with whom they work, I had the opportunity to read about some
books: ``Always Faithful,'' a book about Marine Corps working dogs by
William Putney; ``The Dogs of War'' by Lisa Rogak; ``War Dogs'' by
Rebecca Frankel; and ``Sergeant Rex'' by Mike Dowling, among the most
highly commended; as well as ``Unconditional Honor'' primarily by Cathy
Scott,
[[Page H1535]]
which recognizes the fact that those of you watching at home, and this
Record, might not contemplate, and that is the role that dogs play, not
just on the battlefield and in finding missing people, and fighting
crime here at home, but also when helping our servicemen and -women
recover from wounds visible and invisible when they return to this
country.
Indeed, thousands of servicemembers, welcomed by a climate that is
shifting as it relates to service dogs, take the definition of working
dog beyond the battlefield and outside of the field of crime and
punishment into bedrooms and living rooms, and they help our brothers
and sisters heal from wounds that most of us, praise God, will never be
able to imagine.
As I think has been noted, at any given time, there are more than
over 2,000 military working dogs with roughly 700 working overseas.
These specially trained dogs can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000
to procure and train, and about 30 service dogs annually are killed in
the line of duty.
When I was in the military, we always looked with admiration upon the
individuals who had the decorations and the pins and an adornments that
very few people would earn. One was HALO wings. That stands for high
altitude low opening. That is when you jump out of an airplane so high
that someone couldn't possibly imagine that there might be someone
inserting via this mechanism. Well, indeed, we have military dogs that
insert this way, as well as strapped to their handlers via helicopter,
and every other imaginable circumstance.
In fact, as I look at history, the oldest documented accounts of dogs
either being used as accoutrements to defend their people or
accompanying their masters onto the field of battle are almost 3,000
years old, and this is about as long as we can go back into documented
written history. But tonight, Mr. Speaker, I want to speak briefly
about a personal friend and hero.
In early 2006, Patrick Sheridan of the Louisa County Sheriff's Office
procured Magpie Electric Potential from a bloodhound kennel in New
Jersey and began working very hard with what I believe was the second
dog that Lieutenant Sheridan would train. In fact, Lieutenant Sheridan
and his K-9 team have become so successful in working K-9 operations
and scent tracking, specifically, that they have tracked individuals on
multiple continents and in multiple nations. And over the course of
Magpie Electric Potential's, aka Maggie's, 6-year career, she worked
almost 350 calls for service.
In 2010 alone, her duties ranged from trailing breaking-and-entering
suspects and suspects in violent crime cases to helping locate a
missing 5-year-old child before that child succumbed to the elements.
On December 12, 2011, Maggie and Lieutenant Sheridan were not engaged
in chasing down a drug dealer or finding some horrific individual and
preventing them from visiting domestic violence on someone once too
frequently victimized, but, instead, searching for an individual who
had been reported missing and suicidal. I make this point to note that
these dogs defend the people with whom they serve and the people of our
communities.
On this occasion, Maggie, while trailing again on nearly her 350th
working call, encountered a pit bull and ultimately was attacked and
succumbed to her injuries. Her end of watch on December 12, 2011,
represents one of hundreds of working dog deaths just this century.
I, too, commend former President Bush for the establishment and the
use of private citizen dollars to do such of a War Dog Memorial and
hope that we will see something similar done as it relates to those
working dogs who defend us not in the military, but in law enforcement
here at home, not only by pursuing and apprehending criminals, but also
by finding missing children and those who might harm themselves.
Mr. Speaker, I would commend to those viewing and to the Members of
this body, when they find a dog handler or someone who had worked as a
dog handler in the past, please say ``thank you'' for the dedication,
time, and loyalty that is, indeed, reciprocal and unconditional because
we need never fathom how many lives have been saved.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the good gentleman from Virginia. The
gentleman brought up some great things there, the dedication of the
handlers. Here we have got the Clay County Sheriff's Department with
Diesel, a bloodhound that these guys are so dedicated with the dogs
that they work with. It is unbelievable, the good they do, the search
and the rescue that they do. And you brought up on Maggie how she had--
the 350th working call that Maggie had performed for the people of our
country.
And this is something people don't realize, the amount of calls these
dogs go on and the amount of work that they do. The average lifespan or
service of these dogs is anywhere from 7 to 9 years, and people wonder
about the cost of the dog, the cost of a program. Yeah, it is expensive
to keep these dogs, but what we have found is so many people out there
who are goodhearted who realize the benefit of the working K-9 that
they donate the cost of the dog. Many times the cost of the dog can run
from $5,000 to $9,000 by the time you get it trained, and $4,000 to
$5,000 a year to maintain these. And there is a lot of community help
to make sure this gets done.
Mr. Speaker, I will now talk about another dog at the Gainesville
Police Department: Justice is a German Shepherd that worked for the
Gainesville Police Department starting in September 2006. During his
career, Justice was responsible for locating hundreds of--hundreds of
offenders. He assisted several other agencies throughout his career to
include the Florida Highway Patrol, the Alachua County Sheriff's
Office, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the University of Florida
Police Department, the City of Alachua Police Department, and the City
of High Springs Police Department.
Justice was credited with saving a life. The incident involved a
suicidal person who had taken a deadly amount of prescription pills,
left a suicide note, and walked off into the woods. After 2 hours of
officers trying to locate the person, Officer Owens and Justice were
called to the scene while off duty. Justice was able to track and
locate the person who was passed out by the effects of the pill and
clinging to life. EMS was called, and the person was taken to the
hospital. Doctors stated that if the person was not located when they
were, the medications taken would have, no doubt, ended in their death
and another suicide.
Justice received a lifesaving award through the department. On the
last night of his career, Justice was called to locate a suspect that
fled from an officer who recognized him as a felony habitual traffic
offender and a drug dealer. The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop
on the vehicle being driven by the suspect. When the officer activated
his overhead lights, the suspect turned off his headlights, accelerated
to a high speed, fleeing through a neighborhood. The officer did not
pursue the vehicle. Another officer located the abandoned vehicle
minutes later. A perimeter search was established.
Office Charles Owens and Justice responded to the scene. Justice
began a track from the driver's side door. The track led through
several backyards and for several blocks. Justice's track led into a
wooded area where the suspect was located by Justice trying to conceal
himself under a fallen tree. If not for Justice, the suspect would have
eluded capture. Justice was sent to retire at the end of the shift,
which ended at 4 a.m. He captured his last suspect just in the nick of
time at 3 a.m. Officer Owens took possession of Justice after his
retirement, and they have been with each other since.
Justice turns 15 on March 15 of this year and is still as active as
he can be in his seasoned age. And I think, again, that is a model for
all of us to follow.
Another story, Mr. Speaker, K-9 deputy successfully talks down an
armed suicidal subject: The Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies
responded to the 17,800 block of County Road 25 in reference to a
domestic altercation. It was learned that the suspect battered and
strangled a female victim. The suspect fled the area, just prior to the
deputy's arrival. K-9 Deputy Jeremie Nix and K-9 Drago tracked and
located the suspect in a wooded area, at which time the suspect advised
he was armed with a firearm and a knife and threatened suicide.
[[Page H1536]]
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Deputy Nix was able to create a dialogue with the suspect and
persuaded him to surrender peacefully. He did not have a firearm, but
he was armed with a knife. The suspect was arrested and charged with
domestic battery by strangulation and is being held in the Marion
County Jail on $10,000 bond.
During this standoff, Deputy Nix and K-9 Drago accidentally stepped
into a yellow jacket nest and were stung over 20 times. K-9 Drago was
taken to the veterinarian's office to be checked out after the call,
and he and Deputy Nix recovered and are back to work. Great job for
everyone.
The K-9 team locates burglar, recovers approximately $3,500 of stolen
property: On the morning of Thursday, February 1, 2018, Marion County
Sheriff's Office deputies responded to Ernie's Auction Center, located
at 5305 South Pine, in reference to a burglary that just occurred.
As employees were opening the business, it was observed that the
front door had been forcibly entered and suspects were observed running
through the inside of the business.
Deputy Branden Donahue and his K-9 partner, Tipster, and Deputy
Nickolas Frost immediately tracked the suspect and located him within
30 minutes. During the track, two different locations were found where
the suspects were stashing stolen items from the business. The stolen
property, valued at $3,500, was recovered and returned to the
businessowner.
People just don't realize the acute sense that these dogs have and
why they are so valuable.
Another story is about Deputy Brian Litz. On February 7, 2004, Deputy
Brian Litz and another deputy responded to the Pine Run subdivision in
reference to a well-being check on a 74-year-old individual.
When the deputies arrived at the house, the individual met them at
the door with a handgun. Deputy Litz was attempting to pass under the
front window of the home to get a better visual on the individual with
the gun. Unknown to Deputy Litz, this person was watching from the
window, and he then shot and killed Litz.
Today, a statue in honor of Deputy Litz and his K-9 stands proudly in
Florida's capital. In a tragic twist, Deputy Litz' call sign was
Batman. Today, visitors of this statue at the Florida capital can find
the Batman emblem on the bottom of his K-9's foot.
Just an amazing story and, again, a great example of the ability of
these dogs and their success in helping out with people, whether it is
the person in need, the lost individual, search and rescue, the drug
dealer, and just people who want to do other people harm in domestic
violence.
I just want to briefly talk about dogs and handlers. The Putnam
County Sheriff's Office has five dogs: Aries, handled by Sergeant Randy
Hayes; Judo, handled by Blaine Moody; Zeke, handled by Jerry Gentry;
Halo, handled by Josue Garriga; and Putnam, named after the county,
handled by Emmett Merritt.
Bradford County Sheriff's Office: Deputy Brandon Shoup and K-9 Grim.
Ocala Police Department: Officer King and K-9 Zorba; Officer Burgos
and K-9 Babbo; Officer Arnold and K-9 Senior.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office, again, yesterday, we had the
privilege of going down and presenting all the working dogs and their
handlers with our Congressional Challenge Coin. As you can see, that
dog looks rather well the way he is wearing that. At the Marion County
Sheriff's Office, where we were yesterday, we got to have the
demonstration on the catch dogs, or attack dogs, and we got a great
demonstration. There are: Sergeant Daniel Trammell and K-9 Nitro;
Deputy Alan Lee, who handles K-9 Zeus; Deputy Timothy Fretts with his
dog, K-9 Robo; Deputy Colton Sullivan with his dog, K-9 Adelmo; Deputy
Matt Bowers with K-9 Otow, which is named after a retirement village
that donated the money for their dog; Deputy Jeremie Nix with his dog,
K-9 Drago; Deputy Branden Donahue with his dog, K-9 Tipster; and as we
just heard the story, Deputy Matt Hopper with K-9 Rambo.
The Gainesville Police Department: Corporal Jeff Kerkau with his dog,
K-9 Roo; Corporal Dylan Hayes-Morrison and his K-9 Ares; Officer Rob
Rogers and K-9 Nero; Officer Ed Ratliff and his dog, K-9 Ace; Officer
Josh Meurer and his dog, K-9 Ranger.
And the Alachua County Sheriff's Office:
Deputy Sheriff Lloyd O'Quinn and K-9 Eins. We just heard a story
about them. A Malinois working in patrol, narcotics, and tracking.
Deputy Sheriff Esau Bright and K-9 Deacon, a Malinois working in
patrol, narcotics, and trafficking.
That is what a lot of people don't realize. These dogs are trained in
multiple disciplines and just work their hearts out.
Deputy Sheriff Mikell McKoy and his dog, K-9 Kaos, a Malinois working
in patrol, narcotics, and trafficking.
Deputy Sheriff Brian Ritter and his dog, K-9 Kolt, a Malinois working
in patrol, narcotics, and trafficking.
Deputy Sheriff Chris Griseck and his dog, K-9 Mack, a Malinois
working in patrol, bombing, and tracking.
Then there is Deputy Sheriff Bill Arnold and his dog, K-9 Wick, a
Malinois working in patrol, narcotics, and trafficking.
I think we are getting the point here of how valuable these dogs are.
I would recommend to people, if you want to see the value and why we
want to spend money and allow these dogs to be in our law enforcement,
military, DEA, then watch demonstrations of these dogs and the
acuteness of them.
There is Deputy Sheriff Chris Drake and his dog, K-9 Rous, a Malinois
working in patrol, bomb, and tracking.
Sergeant Michael Hurlocker, who we heard the story of, and his K-9
partner, Havok, a Malinois working in patrol, bomb, and tracking.
Deputy Sheriff Adam Diaz and his dog, K-9 Shiloh, a Labrador
Retriever working with the Drug Task Force.
Sergeant Bryan Jones and K-9 Jerry, a Malinois working with the Drug
Task Force.
And then there is Sergeant Nigel Lowe and K-9 Zoey, a mixed breed
working narcotics detection in our schools; and K-9 Malzi, a Malinois
just joining the sheriff's office as a gun detection dog in our
schools.
It is interesting, after the Parkland shooting on February 14, we had
a roundtable of law enforcement, county sheriffs, city police chiefs,
superintendents, school resource officers, and one of the things that
came out of there is how the resource officers in our schools act as a
deterrent for a lot of the kids. They are there. They see a person of
authority.
One of the sheriffs brought up what I thought was a great suggestion
that a lot of people also thought was a great suggestion, and that is a
dog that can detect gunpowder in our schools. Let them tour the
schools, let them show what the policemen can do beneficially to all of
us.
It is a shame that we are in a time in society where we have to worry
about guns going off in school, but until we rectify the underlying
cause of that, I think we need to do what we can to keep our schools
safe so our kids feel safe going to school.
I just want to end with this picture. Again, this is the Clay County
Sheriff's Office with their dog, Diesel, who proudly took our
Congressional Challenge Coin.
Mr. Speaker, I want to give a shout-out to all the offices that
participated and shared stories with us. We are proud of them. We are
proud of their K-9s. I don't want to say we are more proud of the K-9s
than we are of them, but we are proud of all of them for the work that
they do to keep us safer as citizens of the Third Congressional
District, but also around the country and around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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