K-9 Unit
Make an online donation to the K-9 Fund
Police service dogs (K-9s) are used in law enforcement primarily because of their superior scenting
and locating abilities. Studies have shown that a dog’s sense of smell is in the area of 100 times greater than that of a human. It is the police service dog’s superior sense of smell and the ability to recognize and respond to a wide variety of scents that allows the police service dog to locate persons and contraband much more efficiently and effectively than its human counterpart.
A police service dog’s secondary function is as a use of force tool that can be deployed by the handler in situations that require the immediate apprehension of violent and dangerous criminals who attempt to avoid arrest by fleeing and/or hiding. A police service dog allows the police department to resolve dangerous situations in a more safe and efficient manner.
Burnsville's K-9s
The Burnsville Police K-9 Unit consists of two teams - Officer Dan Long and his K9 partner “Dagger” along with Officer Shaun Anselment and his K-9 partner “Stryker”. Both dogs are used as locating tools and are trained to conduct building and large area searches for hidden criminals, tracking lost persons and criminals, article/evidence searches, and narcotics detection. Both dogs are also featured at numerous community education functions and public canine agility demonstrations.
Dagger and Stryker were utilized in over 30 building searches and 20 open area searches during 2008, as well as more than 24 tracks looking for criminal suspects who had fled on foot from crime scenes. Both dogs also conducted over 22 narcotics sniffs in vehicles, apartments and hotel/motels. Many of these sniffs resulted in the seizure of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The K-9s also assisted on numerous arrest situations and arrest warrants.
During the year, both canine units conducted between 15-20 public demonstrations for school children, senior citizens, and community organizations to showcase their canine’s agility and capabilities. They also continued the tradition of hosting a large canine demonstration as part of the annual Burnsville Fire Muster, featuring canine units from throughout Dakota County.
K-9 Fundraising
Burnsville Police will be retiring both of their K-9s in the next two years which means funds are needed to help cover the replacement costs. The goal is to raise $18,000, which would fund the cost and training of the new dog. The current price for a suitable dog is $7,500-$8,000. The current K-9s were imported from eastern Europe that breed dogs specifically for police work.
The dogs complete a 12-week training program at the St. Paul Canine Training Center before going to work, where they are used for criminal apprehension, tracking, evidence search and recovery, and narcotics detection.
Your donation will help continue this valuable part of the Burnsville's Police Department. Donations may be made
online or by calling Sgt. Bentley Jackson at 952-895-4598.
Unit History
Burnsville’s canine unit started in 1982 with Starsky. Ten dogs have served in the unit:
Starsky
Cassidy
Colonel
Hunter
Mack
Buck
Baron
Louie
Dagger
Stryker |
1982-1988
1983-1990
1988-1992
1991-1992
1992-1996
1993-1997
1997-2004
1997-2005
2004-Present
2005-Present |