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Video: Meet Finn the Police Dog

By Philip Anselmo
Oct 2, 2008, 3:47pm

Many thanks to Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Thompson for taking the time to introduce me—and by extension, all of you—to the newest member of the county force: Finn, the Czech Shepherd. Finn was purchased by the force through donated funds to help mostly on search missions, whether that means he's looking for a criminal hiding in a building or a bag of pot strapped under a Lexus. Take a look:

Howard B. Owens

Philip, good video. Reminds of an event when I was in the Air Force. I was a cop.

One night, for a training exercise, I was the bad guy. I was driving around the base in my Chevy Impala, waiting to be found.

When a patrol spotted me, I took off.

There was a long four-lane road that I got cornered into taking. That old Chevy had a pretty huge engine, so I gunned it, but then realized Officers Housing, and the base commander's house, was fast approaching (this was about 2 a.m.), so I needed to slow in a hurry. I spun out and stalled in the middle of the road.

I had to run.

First unit on scene was the K-9. The officer gave chase with his dog. There was something about the tone of his voice when he yelled "Halt or I'll release my dog" that scared me. I stopped and hit the dirt. He later told me that when he jumped out of his vehicle, he hadn't gotten a good grip on the leash, so the tone in his voice I heard was his fear that he would lose control of his canine. Good thing I halted!

Oct 2, 2008, 4:16pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Cool video
I would not want to be on the other end of the BONE if you know what I mean. I think German Shepard are cool dogs but I have to ask is it normal for police dogs to be that thin you can see his ribs very easily?

Oct 3, 2008, 2:09pm Permalink
Brian Thompson

Tom,
I am an 80 lb. Czech. Shepard. I was at 78 lbs. for the last 18 months of my life. I am 3 now and can run at a top speed of almost 40 mph. I can pull my 200 lb. handler and follow a scent track for over two miles. I am lean. Bruce Smith was lean. My handler tells me that Bruce was at about 2% body fat in his prime. I am about the same. My hair coloration also makes me appear more "ribby" than most. I can assure you I eat very well. I have enjoyed putting on two more pounds of muscle in the last 8 weeks. I am proud to serve you and my community.
Philip, Great job with the video!! :) Ruff!
Finn

Oct 3, 2008, 9:31pm Permalink
Jerome Grasso

Finn: I am glad to see that you know how to type. I knew you were a heck of a value when we hired you. Please do not ask me for a pay raise!

Brian and Phil: the video looks great!

Oct 3, 2008, 11:25pm Permalink

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