Did you know…

image of a police dog
  • A dog’s sense of smell is 200-400 times greater than a human’s?
  • Dogs can smell a human buried up to 12 feet underground?
  • Dogs can distinguish between identical twins?
  • German shepherds can search an area four times faster than a human?
  • Dogs identify by scent first, then voice, then by silhouette?
  • Police K9 units were first implemented in the early 1900s?

Dogs have been part of law enforcement for well over 100 years now. They have not only become an integral part of crime fighting, they’ve often become heroes. At a rough count, there are over 35 monuments specifically to Police Dogs (war dogs, search and rescue, and others are not included in this count).

The monuments vary – some list each dog by name and date it passed, some are engraved with meaningful words, such as:

image of a police dog

They go first… So that others may follow safely.
Honor – Valor – Courage – Sacrifice
Loyal Companions
Ready to Serve
Faithful Partner
May you always run fast, bite hard, and fear nothing.

Some were killed in the line of duty, some died of injuries days or months later, and still others lived out their life—hopefully knowing they were vital to their community and loved by their handlers.

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