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Forest Park to decommission K9 "Crypto"; police will accept donated bloodhound for search work
Summary
The council approved decommissioning a police canine named Crypto and accepted a donated bloodhound from the Jimmy Rice Foundation; the department will absorb training and care costs for the new dog.
The Forest Park mayor and council approved decommissioning K9 Crypto, who has not adapted to police work due to fear of loud noises and unfamiliar people, and accepted a donation of a trained bloodhound from the Jimmy Rice Foundation.
Police described efforts to acclimate Crypto to law enforcement tasks but said the canine continued to struggle with environmental stressors that would impair search work. "To be a police working dog, you must be able to work in all environments. And unfortunately, K9 Crypto was not able to adapt to some of those environments," the chief said. The department reached an agreement with the Jimmy Rice Foundation to return Crypto to Hurricane Creek for placement in a suitable home and to receive a trained bloodhound at no additional cost.
The council approved the decommissioning and acceptance of the donated bloodhound. Police told the council the department will assume costs associated with training, equipment and health care for the replacement bloodhound. The new dog will be used primarily for tracking and locating lost persons; the chief said the department already fields dual-purpose canines and that the bloodhound will add tracking capability.
Council members asked about the selection process and about avoiding a repeat of the situation. The chief said the replacement will go through an interview process to ensure suitability. The council recorded unanimous support for the request.
