Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax scored multiple first-place awards during a multi-state competition in Michigan where a second Lake County sheriff’s canine also scored top awards.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza and Canine Dax along with Deputy Kevin Harris and Canine Zeus recently traveled to Port Huron, Michigan.
The two sheriff’s canine teams participated in the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region #19 Police Dog and Detector Dog Trial.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said an intense evaluation and competition took place and consisted of 32 dogs from across several states.
The competition involves tracking, narcotics searching, cadaver detection, obedience, scent work, apprehension and apprehension with gunfire.
Forlenza and Dax placed first in obedience, article search, suspect search, tracking and cadaver detection.
The two also placed third in criminal apprehension, Covelli said.
Harris and Zeus placed second in article search, suspect search, tracking and cadaver detection.
“We have amazing K9 teams at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office! Our ten canine teams are truly an incredible asset to Lake County,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said Friday.
“Their talents were again proven by the success of Deputy Forlenza/K9 Dax and Deputy Harris/K9 Zeus at the USPCA Regional Certification. I could not be prouder of Deputies Forlenza, Harris, and their K9 partners!” Idleburg said.