Latest news with #SpringerSpaniels
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
K-9 Crook joins the Bluefield Police Department
bluefield – K-9 Crook still has a lot of puppy energy and enthusiasm in him, but that's helping launch his career as a bomb-sniffing and evidence-finding dog for the Bluefield Police Department. The department's new recruit was circling his handler, Lt. Brian Copenhaver, when they arrived at the police station Monday. Crook, a Springer Spaniel, is about 2-years-old. 'We ordered Crook from Guardian Farms in Ona, Copenhaver said while the new recruit enjoyed all the attention. 'His specialty is bombs, so he's a bomb dog and article search. We actually named him Crook after Lt. Crook, who had died in the line of duty eight years ago, and we wanted to remember Crook and this way every time we go out and do a demonstration in the community, for the schools, any of that, it allows us to talk about Crook, what he had done here, his legacy here, and we wanted to do that through our dog here.' The late Lt. Aaron L. Crook died in the line of duty on May 30, 2017 after pulling over a suspected drunk driver at Lee Street and two law enforcement cruisers that were headed to the scene collided. He had been with the department since 2008. In May 2019, a section of Princeton Avenue was named the Bluefield Police Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Road in his honor. K-9 Thor, who has been with the department for years, is still doing things like going to local schools, but the department decided to acquire a bomb dog. 'Kids love to pet Thor and Thor loves going out, but we know it's only a matter of time before Thor does retire and what we wanted to do was go ahead and start a younger dog out and get him going to be able to do the same things that Thor did,' Copenhaver said. Tail wagging, Crook tried climbing onto Copenhaver's desk and jumped out of his chair at one point. 'As you can tell, still very much puppy,' he said. 'Wants to work all the time. Very hyper.' Crook was chosen because Springer Spaniels have a lot of energy, which makes them very good search dogs, Copenhaver said. There are a lot of bird dogs in the law enforcement community now because they have good health and long lifespans. 'And they have high drives, which means they search really, really well,' Copenhaver said. 'And he wants to go right now.' The police department acquired Crook last April. Copenhaver contacted Guardian Farms and described the sort of dog that the department wanted. The owners, Kyle Patton and Levi Livingston, are both retired law enforcement officers in West Virginia and part of the West Virginia Police K-9 Association. 'I called them and explained to them what I wanted,' he said. 'They jumped on it and they were able to find him and train him up and got him ready for us. We actually went to a seminar the first part of April. We're certified through the West Virginia Police K-9 Association and he's ready to go. He's ready to work.' Crook can detect multiple odors that are in bombs. He also does what is called article search. If somebody leaves behind evidence of a crime, Crook can help locate it, Copenhaver said. Copenhaver had Crook demonstrate his sniffing capabilities before taking him outside. Yvonne Harris, a retired teacher living in Bluefield, watched the excited spaniel. 'I think he's cute as he can be,' she said. 'What kind of dog is he? He's bomb sniffing?' She asked about Crook's breed. 'A Springer Spaniel? My aunt had one of those,' Harris said. 'Look at him go. They are very active little dogs.' Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
RSPCA appeal to help 80 dogs rescued from house of horrors
Branches of the RSPCA are appealing for 'urgent' help after taking in 80 dogs left living in 'filth and faeces' Animal charities are appealing for urgent donations after taking in more than 80 dogs from a house of horrors. One rescue boss described it as 'one of the worst cases of cruelty' they'd ever seen and are now in need of help to pay for the medication and food needed. The 78 Springer Spaniels, four other breeds, two cats and a chicken, were taken to safety after being r escued from a detached £500,000 house on the outskirts of Tickhill, in the countryside. Officers were immediately taken back by the smell of 'faeces and filthy', conditions and the volume of animals living inside finding dogs living around every corner. The dogs were terrified of their rescuers, hiding under furniture. The Hull and East Riding Branch, which is locally funded, took in 12 of the puppies and are now 'bursting with dogs'. Their Chief Executive, Frederick Owen said: 'I've witnessed many heartbreaking cases, but the recent rescue of 80 spaniels from unimaginable conditions in Doncaster has shaken me to my core. 'Four of these vulnerable puppies and one young adult are now in our care, arriving malnourished, covered in filth, and too afraid to trust. This is without doubt one of the worst cases of cruelty I have ever seen. 'It's going to take months of dedicated care to heal not just their physical injuries but the emotional scars they carry. Much like children recovering from trauma, their mental health has been deeply affected. But I am determined to see them thrive - and I know, with the love and support of our incredible community, we can make it happen.' The South Yorkshire branch of the charity, are also asking for donations and said 'one little lady' needed major surgery but was doing really well. 'We have a precious little girl who is desperate for our cuddles but is just too scared and confused right now…we still have a long road ahead, requiring a great deal of tender loving care, treatment, and rehabilitation for these vulnerable animals." The RSPCA acted after locals complained of the smell coming from the £500,000 home. It is believed an elderly couple lived upstairs and the dog downstairs. One animal lover, Patricia Clifford, reacted: 'That house looks like something out of a horror movie.' Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said after last Thursday's rescue: 'Effective teamwork and strong partnerships between us, the RSPCA and Doncaster City Council allowed us to act on community intelligence that a property was being used to house animals and obtain an emergency warrant from the courts. 'This is not responsible dog ownership; this is cruelty and I am pleased we have been able to intervene and ensure that these dogs receive the care they deserve and hopefully have a bright future ahead of them.'
