Sheriff’s office welcomes new K-9 handler
Deputy Josh Peet is taking over the responsibilities from Deputy Steve Faeth who recently retired
The Sheriff’s Office officially introduced its newest K9 handler: Deputy Josh Peet. Deputy Peet is taking over the responsibilities from Deputy Steve Faeth who retired in January of this year.
Deputy Peet is assigned K9 “DJ,” a Belgian Malinois, who is trained in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension. Deputy Peet has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 10 years and has been working with DJ for the past few months.
Photo taken during the Sheriff’s Office K9 narcotics demonstration.
On their very first day of working together, DJ was able to track down a suspect who was hiding underneath a blanket covered in brush and shrubs in a riverbed. Upon seeing the K9, the suspect was apprehended without incident.
DJ is one of six highly-trained dogs in the Sheriff’s K9 unit. Sheriff Parkinson has greatly expanded the K9 unit from one dog in 2010 to the present contingent of six. Last year alone, the K9’s were called out for service more than 1,800 times. This resulted in 169 suspect apprehensions, and the detection and recovery of more than 1,587 grams (3.5 pounds) of cocaine, more than 2,700 grams (5.9 pounds) of methamphetamine and 446 grams (almost one pound) of heroin.
