K-9 Dock and Cpl. Vogt will be stationed in the Southern Maryland region
ANNAPOLIS (May 19, 2008) — The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) recently welcomed two newly-certified natural resource canines and handlers back from finishing more than 400 hours of training in Indiana that began in January. Dock and handler, Cpl. John M. Vogt, and Ruddy and handler, OFC. David S. Rice, were awarded their certificates from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement on Thursday, April 17, at the District 8 Headquarters near Patoka Lake in Birdseye, Ind.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement donated the training for two handlers and their canines to the NRP at no expense to the agency. The Shikar-Safari Club International donated $20,000 and the National Wild Turkey Federation donated $1,000 to the NRP for operational and equipment costs.
The two dogs are cross-trained in wildlife detection (deer and turkey), evidence recovery, and human tracking and trailing. The two canines will enhance NRP operations when searching for overdue hunters or lost hikers on Maryland’s public and privately owned lands, as well as expand upon the agency’s capacity to detect illegally possessed waterfowl and other species of wildlife.
“This opportunity allowed for some positive growth to the existing Natural Resources Police canine program, “said Col. George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the NRP, “and will have a far-reaching impact on the future of Maryland’s canine program.”
Dock and Cpl. Vogt will be stationed in the Southern Maryland region and Ruddy and OFC. Rice will be stationed in the Eastern Maryland region. Other NRP canine units are Bear and Cpl. Sharpeta stationed in the Central Maryland region, Blu and OFC. Dieterle stationed in Western Maryland and Sgt. Nyland and her dogs, Liberty and Patriot, stationed on the Eastern Shore. All dogs and handlers are utilized throughout the state and neighboring states when called upon.