The Punta Gorda Police Department introduced the new police canines at the City Council meeting on Wednesday morning.

K9 Chase and K9 Skye posed for pictures with their handlers, also new to the canine assignment. Pictured are Officer Dean Irving with K9 Chase, a 9 month old chocolate Labrador from Pennsylvania, and Officer Juan Gonzales with K9 Skye, a 14 month old yellow Labrador from Idaho. Both canines were purchased from Police Service Dogs, a kennel in Oxford, Florida.

The handlers and their canines begin training with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, January 4th. After 160 hours of training the teams will be ready to certify through the United States Police Association (USPCA) in drug detection, and will also be trained in the tracking discipline.

Prepared by:
Lieutenant Katie Heck
Punta Gorda Police Department
(941) 575-5525
kheck@pgorda.us