The Power of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit

If a deputy with a gun isn't enough to stop a suspect running through the woods, behold the power of the canine.

Over the weekend, Bossier sheriff's deputies were called to the 600 block of Bodcau Station Road, near Highway 80, to a call about a man fighting and punching three younger people at the home. By the time the victims called 911, the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Ekeem York of Haughton, had run off into the woods.

Sgt. Daniel Talley and his K-9 partner Spike were called out to search for York, who later told deputies, "I heard the dog, I heard y'all coming through the woods, and that's all I was thinking about, I don't want to get bit."

This excerpt from a BSO story sent to us by Lt. Bill Davis better explains how Spike was able to track the suspect.

It was dark, but the crushed vegetation and human odor of skin flakes, combined with heavy dew on the ground, kept the scent just where Spike needed it - nose level on the ground.

 

Spike, a Dutch Shepherd who turns 3 in June, and Sgt. Talley have been a K-9 team for about a year now. When Talley became a handler, he and Spike, who was obtained in south Louisiana, went to handler school together. Spike is a dual purpose dog who can do everything from criminal apprehension, tracking, building and area searches, handler protection and narcotics.

Sgt. Talley said working in the parish is much different than the city, because there's the potential of coming across rattlesnakes, poison ivy, or wooded areas. But Spike managed to locate York hiding in a small ditch, covered with leaves, with just his shoes sticking out.

"When we got to within about eight feet of him, I gave the individual verbal commands and challenged him to show me his hands and not move," said Talley. "He then jumped up with his hand up!"

York was taken into custody without incident and booked for resisting an officer, three counts of simple battery, simple criminal property damage and disturbing the peace drunk.

Sheriff Julian Whittington had high praise for the department's K-9 team.

"Our K-9 teams train continually, and that bond that develops between the handler and dog is critical," Sheriff Whittington said. "When the K-9 is called out, the clock is ticking, and they have to be 'on target. A child might be missing, an armed robber may be hiding out, a vehicle with suspected narcotics might be rolling through Bossier Parish or a deputy needs help. Bossier Sheriff's K-9 team is on the trail!"