Polson Police welcomes K-9 Jäger

Polson Police recently welcomed a new officer to the force, who already has sniffed out some arrests.

The new officer, a male German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, is Jäger, the department’s K-9.

Celebrating his one-year birthday Friday, Nov. 16, Jager is described by his handler, Officer Cody Doyle, as a dog that constantly wants to work.

Jäger is trained to detect heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine.

The dog is also trained to track, which Doyle said will be adventageous if a child or elderly person go missing.

Jäger is certified through the Working Dog Association, and Doyle said that from here on out, the team will do weekly trainings together.

The officer duo recently attended Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Penn., where they met, bonded and trained for one month.

Shallow Creek is the same kennel in which the Ronan Police Department Officer and handler Brandon Smith and K-9 Sandor attended. Montana Highway Patrol also utilizes the facility for its K-9 program.

Together, Doyle and Jäger made the 30-hour drive back to Montana.

JÄGER IS adjusting well at home, getting gets along well at home with Doyle’s three children. “He is full of energy,” Doyle said, laughing.

Doyle shared that the department decided to go with a non-aggressive dog so that he can take it to schools and trust it won’t attack children.

Jäger was able to be purchased and trained for about $16,000, which Doyle and Sgt. George Simpson said was funded largely through community donations.

“I think it speaks alot to our community,” Doyle said.

Simpson added that once news of the department’s aggressive drug raids began in December 2017, people called PPD asking how they could help the cause.

“A lot of local businesses took it on their own to do fundraisers” to help obtain a new K-9.

Donations came from as far as Texas, Simpson said, adding “It’s just been phenomenal.”

Originally, PPD set a goal of $8,000 for the new K-9.

DOYLE SAID that while training, he found it challenging to trust Jäger to learn to detect drug odors.

“In my brain, I think I’m the handler, I know what’s best,” Doyle said.

He had to learn to remove himself from Jäger’s working process so the K-9 can do his job.

When Doyle learned of the opportunity to become a K-9 handler, he applied, describing himself as “an animal person.”

Jäger comes on board following the recent retirement of PPD’s K-9 Brody, a yellow Labrador, who is enjoying life with his handler, Capt. Alan Booth, after about six years on the job.

To make donations toward Jäger’s ongoing care, contact PPD at 406-883-8200.