Click here for pictures from recent unit activities.

Mission Statement

Pope County Canine (K-9) Unit will provide a quick response and trained dog/handler teams to all first response agencies for the purpose of search and rescue. The unit will also promote and educate the public on the abilities and intelligence of search and rescue canines.

Dispatch and Response

The K-9 Unit will arrive as soon as possible at the search location with dog / handler teams and support personnel. Team members, both handlers and support personnel, and canines are required to complete extensive training and evaluation before they become operational. Standards for training and performance are constantly being reviewed and upgraded when necessary. Individuals in the unit must be proficient in land navigation using map / compass and GPS, basic radio communications, and first aid for both humans and canines. Unit members receive wilderness surviral instruction and are abreast of current search strategies. The unit trains continually in the classroom and field to maintain the highest level of performance.

Our Handlers and Canines

Lee Weatherall
Unit Leader / K-9 Handler


Lee has been with the unit since its formation in 2000. He has been training and handling bloodhounds for search and rescue since 1999. Lee is a paramedic / firefighter with the Russellville Fire Department. Some of his certifications include: haz-mat at the operational level, high angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, swift water rescue, and auto extraction. Lee has attended classes for scent theories and search strategies, along with canine search and resuce workshops and seminars. Lee handles two bloodhounds, Duke and General.


Kim Burnett
Unit Training Coordinator / K-9 Handler


Kim has been with the unit since April 2001. She has been training and handling dogs for search and rescue since 1997 She also has experience teaching canine obedience classes. Kim attends workshops and seminars related to canine search and rescue. Her training includes: scent theories, search strategies, land navigation using map/compass and GPS, radio communications, human and canine first aid, and is a  First Responder. Kim also holds her Private Pilot Certificate. Kim handles four bloodhounds, Jackie (retired), Reuben, Ellie, and Tess.


Steve Clair
  K-9 Handler


Steve has been with the unit since its formation in 2000. He has been training and handling bloodhounds for search and rescue since 1999. Steve has attended classes for scent mechanics, scent theories, and search strategies, along with canine search and rescue workshops and seminars. Other training includes: GPS navigation, topographical map and compass navigation, radio communications, and canine first aid and CPR. Steve is a paramedic with the Pope County Ambulance Service. Steve handles a bloodhound, Moonshine.






Duke

Duke is a 5 yr old red Bloodhound. He is handled by Lee Weatherall. Duke is trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing.





General

General is a 4 year old red Bloodhound. He is handled by Lee Weatherall. General is being trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing.






Jackie

Jackie is a 10 year old black and tan Bloodhound. She is handled by Kim Burnett. Jackie is trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing and cadaver scent awareness. Jackie is currently semi-retired from call-out status, but still participates in demonstrations presented by the unit. 






Moonshine

Moonshine is a 7 year old black and tan Bloodhound. He is handled by Steve Clair. Moonshine is trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing. 






Reuben

Reuben is a 2 year old Liver and Tan Bloodhound. He is handled by Kim Burnett. Reuben is trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing and cadaver awareness.







Ellie

Ellie is a 11 month old Black and Tan Bloodhound.  She is handled by Kim Burnett.  Ellie is being trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing.







Tess

Tess is an 11 month old Black and Tan Bloodhound.  She is handled by Kim Burnett.  Tess is being trained in human remains detection and scent discriminatory man-trailing.






Winston

Winston crossed the rainbow bridge on June 5, 2003 (Cause of death: Cardiac arrest due to bloat). Winston was a 5 1/2 year old red Bloodhound. He was handled by Kim Burnett. Winston was trained in scent discriminatory man-trailing and cadaver awareness.

Last updated: 20 October, 2004
Webmaster: webmaster@popecok9.com