Police dog takes his job seriously

POLSON — What I remember most is the pure, raw feeling of unadulterated intimidation followed by … “Crunch!”

The pressure of the sleeve tightens all around my arm as I swing to the side like a bull-fighter with the 120-pound German shepherd hanging off me and shaking my limb like a rag doll.

All I can think about at this point of the drill is, “Thank God I’m not a criminal.”

The hairiest member of “the Force” hit my forearm like a ton of bricks — imagine NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears coming at you full-steam for a goal line tackle. Now imagine him making that takedown with inch-long canines and an alligator-like bite.

Minutes earlier, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy and Canine Officer Tony Buff explained to me how the drill would go. I would put the protective sleeve made of jute, leather and plastic on my right arm and keep it away from my face and body at all times.

When I inquired whether Buff’s furry partner was in a good mood that day, the officer informed me that “Kilo” was not a morning “person.” Then the mammoth of  entered the deputy’s office — to which I’m told my face went white as a ghost. You don’t realize the size of these beasts of a dog until you see them in person — they put most wolves to shame. I had already made it up in my mind that this dog had a chance of taking me to the ground, but when I saw the thing — my confidence in keeping my footing went from the neighborhood of 70 percent to maybe about 30.

Standing there with the arm sleeve on in a slight cold sweat, I imagined the dog bearing down on me but tried to stay focused on what I had been told to do — you know, to keep all my extremities intact. The dog is trained to bite whatever is closest to it and is very sensitive to motion, so I had to hold that protected arm out away from my body and hold on for dear life.

I thought to myself, “Go over the rules —  check. Secure arm and grip in sleeve and hope to God that it works — check. Clean spare pair of underpants nearby — check.”

As I recall, there was roughly 15 seconds (which seemed like 15 minutes) of anxiety, then fear that the company healthcare plan would be put to test, followed by a sheer rush of terror as the dog was sprinting my way. Then in a single split-second, with the stern command from the handler the canine Goliath was off me and sitting in a calm position on the ground panting.

Sudden chaos. Then, it was over like that. Or was it? Buff explained to me that there was a part two to this drill. He would ask me to raise my hands and then continue to pat me down, at which point I was to knock him over in front of the still alert dog who had his eyes fixed on me.

“Uh really? Are you sure that’s such a great idea?” I asked. Buff nodded. I never felt like I was in any real danger, knowing that Buff knew his stuff, but I did have the thought in the back of my mind that this was still an animal. A well-trained animal, but an animal nonetheless.

I did as the officer asked, shoving Buff down and swinging my protected arm back up in time to catch the dog as it launched onto me. I was given another good shake for a few seconds and then the canine cop was called off again — sitting their calmly panting, eyes fixed on me.

Just so you know, I’m not afraid of dogs and I went through all of this voluntarily, knowing the scenario inside-out and using the proper protection equipment. All that being said — and this part is very important — you do NOT want to mess with this dog.

I don’t care what you’ve done, what the situation is, why you’re running from or resisting the police — just make it easier on yourself and turn yourself in. Dog may be man’s best friend, but in this scenario, he’s far from your friend.

Kilo is the four-year-old police canine for all of Lake County, and he loves his job. Everyday when his partner and caretaker Tony puts on the brown suit sheriff’s uniform and badge — Kilo is right there, rearing and ready to go into action sprinting to the patrol car.

“Whenever I go to work, he goes to work,” Buff said. “He’s my partner.”

Buff has been training police canines for more than two decades, training his first dog in the military in 1987. Buff has owned and trained Kilo since the dog was nine weeks old and after his former dog “Kobe” retired from the force. The canine officer brought in Kilo for police dog training in February 2006. Like any other officer or law enforcement partner, the two work together closely in training and both have gold-plated police badges.

From February to May of 2006, the German shepherd attended the American Society of Canine Trainers police canine class in Bozeman. For the final month of the class, Tony spent 20 days working long hours of intense training with Kilo.

“In my years in law enforcement, that was by far the most intensive training I’ve been a part of,” Buff said.

Kilo was trained on narcotics search, locating evidence, tracking suspects and building searches. In fact, each year Kilo must be re-certified on his training and each day the team goes to work, they train together.

Additionally, Kilo is a multi-lingual dog as his handler and police partner gives him commands in everything from English to German, French to Italian.

Recently, the four-legged deputy played a role in a drug bust and made two criminal apprehensions of burglars who were inside a residence. Buff will tell you that when people see the “K-9 Patrol” decal on his patrol vehicle when he pulls up, just having Kilo in the car with him is a psychological deterrent.

“Sometimes he does his job without even leaving the car,” Buff said with a smirk.

But ultimately it is Tony’s call whether or not to send his furry partner into action on the job.

Lake County Sheriff’s Captain Luc Mathias explained that he has great confidence in Kilo, as in his experience nine out of ten times the dog has been sent in on a job he’s been successful.

Lake County Sheriff Lucky Larson applauded Buff and his partner.

“He (Tony) does a good job —  he knows what he’s doing out there,” Larson said. “And that dog intimidates the heck out of me.”

Off the job, aside from his massive size, Kilo is described as a much less intimidating dog. Tony describes his pet and partner as his wife’s dog at home and a friend of his kids. The kids take rides on Kilo and even play hide and seek — which, as you can probably tell, Kilo is proficient at.

Kilo rides shotgun with Tony, having a treat or two stashed in the car for a on the job reward and savoring the days where he gets his favorite prize — a trip to McDonald’s for a burger.

“He works for his food,” Buff added. “He gets all excited and starts talking when we’re going through the drive-through.”

Buff lives in the Swan Lake area and spends a primary part of his time patrolling the region. With police backup often half-an-hour away, the senior deputy takes comfort in having a partner like Kilo by his side at all times.

“He’s the best partner I could have,” Buff said.