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Video: Meet Finn the Police Dog

By Philip Anselmo

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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