Bay County Search and Rescue K-9's begin annual training seminar
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – You may notice an increased number of K-9 vehicles around town. That's because Bay County Search and Rescue began their annual K-9 seminar.
The Bay County SAR team stopped at the Lynn Haven Sports Complex Thursday to allow their scent dogs to search large areas for human remains.
The tracking dogs performed 'live find' training, searching for missing people. The SAR training will continue through Saturday, making different stops around the county.
UPDATE: Remains found in burned vehicle in Jackson County identified
'Every environment poses its own problems that you have to work through on a windy day or travels differently on a cold day versus a hot day near the water. In the woods on the beach,' Bay County Search and Rescue K-9 Handler Stephanie Sinnett said.
The Bay County Sheriff's Office SAR team responds to an average of 25 calls a year. They deploy wherever they're needed, even outside of Bay County.
'Some of these dogs will be called upon for a missing child depending on their area that they live in. In missing elderly person or something like that. And some of them will go to disaster sites like where the hurricanes are, building collapses, hikers lost out in the woods, in the mountains,' Sinnett said.
It sometimes takes years for a K-9 to earn their certification.
Handlers volunteer their time. They're constantly training with their dogs, building a bond that strengthens their partnership.
'When you get that partnership and you're able to help solve a crime or help find someone's missing loved one. That's what it's all about at the end of the day, is helping find someone's missing loved one,' Bay County Search and Rescue Sergeant Peggy Wilson said.
Candlelight vigil held in honor of Kadance former Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA
This is the 13th year Bay County Search and Rescue has conducted training seminars.
They're also looking for new members to join the team. To find application details,
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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