New Fish and Wildlife K-9 team on patrol in Lake County
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has a new K-9 team working to protect Lake County’s natural resources.
The duo of Warden Wyatt Moore with K-9 Vern made their debut earlier this year.
“We’re really proud of our K-9s. They go through a huge amount of training to be a cohesive team so we’re excited about this,” said CDFW spokeswoman Janice Mackey.
Moore has been a warden for just over four years. He’s one of six Fish and Wildlife wardens assigned to Lake County. He is assigned to the Cannabis Enforcement Program while the other five are district wardens.
While Moore also does checks for fishing and hunting compliance, cannabis will be the focus for him and Vern.
“We investigate illegal cannabis cultivation with the associated environmental damage to the watersheds in Lake County,” said Moore.
Mackey added, “Poaching at illegal grows sites is very common.”
Vern, a 2-year-old German shepherd, is the only cannabis dog working in Lake County, Moore said.
Mackey said it’s been some time since the agency had a K-9 working in Lake County.
CDFW put out an interest list for officers interested in working with K-9s and Moore said he had to go through an interview and selection process.
Moore was chosen to be a K-9 handler, and then it was time to look at different dogs.
Vern, with his long sable coat, is a particularly handsome fellow.
“Vern really stood out,” said Moore.
Moore said Vern was imported from a breeder overseas and went through extensive training.
The two of them attended the CDFW K-9 Academy, which lasted a month and a half, in Novato, Moore said. CJ’s Police K-9s conducted the training.
“He’s what’s considered a dual purpose dog,” Moore said of Vern.
Vern is a detection dog who can smell for bear, deer and abalone parts, quagga mussels, and narcotics such as heroin and cocaine.
He also is a protection and apprehension K-9, protecting Moore and other team members.
CDFW said its warden K-9s “must be comfortable in unusual environments such as barriers they don’t expect, the startling noise of running across old file cabinets, old desks that have slippery surfaces, or hunching down and making their way through passages where they can’t stand up straight. Only after passing those skill tests and other tests are they certified for patrol.”
At times during the training, the dogs would be put on a dog-powered treadmill to help deal with their excess energy, CDFW said.
The amount of time a K-9 remains in service will depend on the dog itself, Moore said.
Moore said Vern began his service around the start of March and has been settling in nicely.
“He’s learning the area and he’s liking it,” said Moore.
When not on duty, Vern makes his home with Moore.
In his off time, Moore said Vern likes to play tug with a ball and rope, and loves runs and walks.
“I try to get him out hiking with me, too,” Moore said.
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