ba mentnemphyy spite Cate gh ene et rs a4, Sey pee t 4 + sectenney eypusencee tangent: beeen 3 - Friday, June 6, 1986 - North Shore News POLICE DOGS IN ACTION ue could be clue to solving crimes he radio crackles to life. Snatching it from his belt, North Vancouver RCMP Cst. George Simmons holds it to his ear. ‘‘We’re over here,” comes the message. *’Holstering tne radio, Simmons runs off to join in the search. Rounding the corner, he sees Cpl. Joe: Macdonald looking intently at the 20-foot high piles ’ of lumber. Somewhere nearby is the ‘‘fugitive,’’ the man they are searching for. vA: few feet | away, sniffing eagerly at the base of.the. fumber” piles: is Cue,’ Macdonald’s police dog. Sud- denly, Cue’s ears perk up. Barking wis: ‘aly, . he runs ‘back and forth, circling. He’s getting close. “Where i is he, Cue,”’ Macdonald prompts. “Where: -is he??? But. with the wind swirling around between the stacks of lumber, Cue can’t yet pinpoint the quarry. *“This is‘ where you’ve got to start locking,’’? Mac- -donald explains. As soon as Macdonald finishes his sentence, Cue barks louder and disappears between ~ two piles. FUGITIVE F OUND Standing almost upright, front paws planted firmly ‘blue jacket hiding amid the planks. ~ rch is over. The quarry has been found. —. Macdonald yells to; his dog. Trotting behind anid halts at: Macdonald's side. ‘‘Sit,’’ the. ‘of icer instructs'as he gives Cue an affectionate pat: = *You_can come out: now,’’ Macdonald tells the newly found ‘‘{fugitive.’’ A face cautiously peers out- from behind the. planks-- Jumping lightly to the ground, the quarry emerges, grinning widely. ‘tYou found. me,” fellow RCMP Cst, Tom Cyr says, joining the other officers. i” North: Vancouver RCMP's dog section is in effect: ade up of six members.: Cyr, Macdonald and Sim mons’ make up one half. Their dogs — Duster, Cue’ and Max —'make- up the other half. Together, the: six-member section is an inyaluable addition to the. force's ‘regular. duties, often being called on to search,” . track or. “apprehend ; as the situation requires. ‘POWERFUL JAWS | Instructing. Cue -to sit,’ Macdonald ensures ‘that ” Cyr is ready for the next” exercise. Cyr “y braces himself ;;padded arm poised in anticipation. _ At Macdonald’s. command, Cue:.bounds forward, intent on the:*‘fugitive.”. Bringing ‘his powerful jaws ‘down .on Cyr’s arm, Cue holds fast as the quarry struggles to pull his arm free!) 0 > Macdonald yells again, this tirae telling Cue: to -break his hold. Instantly, the dog lets go and” Teturns' to. Macdonaid’s'.side. Ready, in case the quarry at tempts’.to, runoff; Cue watches him carefully unt : hearing otherwise. | Ty ‘By STEPHEN BARRIN : News Reporter Pe ““Ouch, ” "Cyr laughs, rubbing his arm in mock _ pain. / Although the dog only weighs 90 pounds to Cyr’s 220 pounds, the officer could easily have been pulled, : to the ground, the six-foot four-inch Cyr explains.. - But to really appreciate the feeling, it must be'expe- rienced, the officers say, urging the North ‘Shore News. - reporter. to give ita try. ‘Although wary at. first the ~ reporter sheepishly agrees. a SHOCK ABSORBER . *. First comes a protective: ‘sleeve: or ‘Theoprene, the © Same material. scuba ‘divers’..wetsuits are made of. ~ “That's your shock absorber,””” ‘Cyr-says as he slips i ii. .. over the reporter’s arm. ©) 7 Over the neoprene goes a’. covering. A tattered jacket to hide the padding com. . pletes the look for the well-dressed quarry.. All the while, Cue is looking curiously at the’ "reporter, while ‘the reporter “is looking: apprehensively. at Cue. As Cyr tells the reporter how to stand, he of- fers a word of advice:“‘I was terrific “so times as. well,’’ he smilés.”* Ina flash; ‘Chie i is on the’ reporter, grabb ig the: arm. just above the wrist’-=. tugging, pulling, teeth’ bared, - snarling. Equally as fast, he is gone, called back by Macdonald. Despite padding, the reporter's arm is sore. Macdonald, stresses that. having the dog apprehend Break ‘and entering we'g a ., On the job, it's important the‘dog. ‘inmediately obey. “Working” as a team, dog and handler..undergo 16 ~ weeks. of. intensive. training. covering: three. -levels..o achievement...During that time, each’ develops ‘trust and respect for the other, forming. the basis of thei raining, the team. is then - undreds of RCMP detach. ments from:Atlin to:North:-Vancouver. . . Hence, the shepherd was chosen. A mix of strength, . ideal for! NEWS photos Tom Burtay ITS A poG's life in 1 the North Varicouver RCMP- especially if you are ‘Cue, one of the detachment’s faithful police dogs. Top left, Cst. Tom Cyr is stalked by Cue during a demonstration. Centre left, Cyr is dragged out after being found by the dog. Bottom left, News reporter Stephen, Barrington discovers the dog’s strength, Below, the dog squad poses infront of the special canine . _ detachment car, From left te right is Cst. George Simmons and Max, Cpl. Joe Macdonald and Cue, and Tom Cyr with Duster.