FCPD K-9's Are Iron Dog Champions

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release:12/143/LHC
May 22, 2012

FCPD K-9s Are Iron Dog Champions

Kodiak

All five of the FCPD K-9 teams that entered the 2012 Virginia Police Canine Association (VPCA) Iron Dog competition won awards and recognition for their top abilities testing strength, stamina and team work. Dubbed as “the ultimate police K9 Challenge”, this is the sixth year FCPD teams have partaken in this day-long event. The competition was held Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds with K-9 teams from over 30 top law enforcement and military agencies across the region.

FCPD K-9 Kodiak and handler PFC Brad Weeks took first place as the overall Iron Dog winner for 2012. They also took first place in Firearms and third place in the Muzzle Events.

Blitz and his handler MPO Mark Dale took third place in the overall competition, first in Agility, first in Area Search, and second in Firearms Events.

Ike and handler MPO Robin Wyatt, Zeus and handler MPO Gary Brown and Colt and handler PFC Kevin Clarke also brought home top awards in both individual and team efforts.

Contestants are timed during a 1.5 mile course that includes stations testing firearms, scent tracking (either narcotic or explosives), decoy apprehension, vehicle searches, and environmental distractions. The course is made challenging with true-to-life obstacles like fences, hedges, creeks and horse jumps for the teams to navigate while running from one station to the next.

To learn more about the Iron Dog competition or VCPA and the vital role K9’s play in public safety, visit http://www.vapolicek9.com/irondog.html.

Blitz Ike