Canine teams take part in Riverside Sheriff’s K-9 Team Competition

Lance Cpl. Octavio Gonzalez sat with his dog Solo Saturday at Harveston Community Park in Temecula, having just finished the first two events at the 14th annual Riverside Sheriff’s K-9 Team competition.

“He did a good job,” Gonzalez, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, said of Solo. “He met my expectations.”

Gonzalez and Solo were among 56 canine teams representing 22 law enforcement agencies from California, Arizona, Nevada and Baja California, the Marine Corps, U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security, to take part in the daylong event, said Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Warrington, who is a canine handler.

The teams took part in the competition that was spread across two baseball fields and a building at the park. The events tested the dogs’ obedience and agility, and their ability to search in a field and building.

Mark Zaleski / The Press-Enterprise Ajax, led by Riverside County sheriff's K-9 Deputy Javier Ethridge, sails over a fence in the agility course.

It also allowed the canine teams from the different agencies to show off their skills and gave the public an idea of the capabilities of the dogs and handlers.

“It lets the public know how their tax dollars are being spent,” Warrington said.

Dozens of spectators filled the seats at baseball field 1 as Warrington put the canine teams through their paces along the basepaths. The dogs were given commands to follow as the handlers coached them through the course.

The final task involved the handler leaving the dog unleashed while he walked few yards away to conduct a pat-down search of a “suspect” wearing protective gear. Points were deducted if the dog charged or bit the suspect.

From there, the canine teams went to the agility course where the handler led the dog through a series of obstacles. The teams then moved to another area, where they conducted the searches.

The event opened Whitney Woods’ eyes to the abilities of canine teams as she and her son Sean watched the obedience and agility courses.

“This is just awesome,” Woods said. “I’m amazed at how smart the dogs are.”

By Gene Ghiotto

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