Officers learn first aid for dogs

K-9s face a variety of dangers while performing their duties and some that regular officers don't.

Any law enforcement officer could be shot or stabbed, but it's rare that a human would ingest narcotics or explosives while in the line of duty.

K-9 officers gathered in Douglas County to receive training on how to help their dogs should the animals be injured in the field.

The Aug. 18 class was taught in at the Law Enforcement and Judicial Building in Minden by reserve police officer and veterinarian Mike Laffins.

"If a dog is going to get hurt in the line of duty it will most likely be at night," said Douglas County Deputy Brian Howard, who is the sheriff's offices' K-9 trainer. "No veterinarian is open at night so the class is about how to stabilize the dogs condition in the field, keep the dog alive until the vet can work on them."

Howard said he is not aware of any recent incident where a K-9 has been stabbed or shot in Douglas County.

"We are very fortunate," he said. "But, we all want to be prepared. Our dog is our partner."

Among other things, deputies learned about a powder in use by American troops in Iraq that immediately coagulates blood to stabilize bleeding wounds, and lets the dog be transported without losing more blood.

Among the departments invited to participate in the training were the San Francisco Police Department, Hayward Police Department, U.S. Park Police, Washoe County, Washoe County Airport Authority, the University of Nevada, Reno, Police, Washoe County School District and the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

In Nevada it's a felony to injure or interfere with a law enforcement dog.