K9 officers’ skills are put to the test at the 24th Annual Sierra K9 Trials in Tulare County in March. This is one of many events around the state that showcase, test, and critique canine and handlers’ skills. The public is invited to witness and cheer on these teams as they train and compete during the daylong event March 28.
The community has given “us the opportunity to have canines in field. They should come out and see for themselves the resources their generosity has provided,” says Lieutenant Chris Wenzinger of the TCSD. “There is no better way for citizens to view the state’s best police canine teams in action without having to be on the criminal side.”
The Sierra K9 Trials are March 27 and 28 at the Plaza Park Softball Complex in Visalia. Over the course of the two days, realistic scenarios will be acted out to test the team’s skill levels and provide controlled training. The competition is broken down into several phases. Specific trial events include obedience demonstrations in verbal and hand commands, agility obstacle courses, narcotic and evidence searches, suspect detection, and the crowd favorite, suspect apprehensions.
Dogs are judged on their cooperation and controlled eagerness to strongly engage a suspect as well as their training in detection, obedience, and agility. Handlers are judged on their command and control. Approximately fifty-two teams from around the state will come to compete, then receive their awards at a banquet honoring the teams who performed well in each category and the overall “Top Dog” award for the team who had the highest total score.
The Sierra K9 Trials is hosted by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and the Visalia Police Department.
Infobox:
24th Annual Sierra K9 Trials
March 27 & 28, Plaza Park
Admission to the trials is free and open to the public on March 28
Food and Beverages available on site
For more info, contact: Lt. Chris Wenzinger of TCSD at 559-733-6229 ext. 6519 or 733-6218 or at cwenzinger@co.tulare.ca.us