MORE CANINE TEAMS TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2008

MORE CANINE TEAMS TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT
Three New Teams Added To Canine Services Unit

NEWS

The Ministry of Natural Resources is strengthening its enforcement capacity with the addition of three canine services teams to assist field conservation officers in their investigations and other duties.

The new teams will work out of Thunder Bay, North Bay and Bancroft.  Three canine teams are already working out of Dryden, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.

The teams provide valuable support in tracking violators from poaching or crime scenes, and locating concealed fish and wildlife, firearms and other evidence of crimes. They also play a key role in search and rescue efforts, and take part in education and community outreach activities.

Canine teams are made up of one conservation officer handler and a highly trained dog.  Each team must complete a 16-week training course at the ministry canine training centre in Sudbury, and attend refresher training sessions throughout their time of service.

QUOTE

“These new canine teams will expand and strengthen the ability of our conservation officers to inspect, enforce, educate and collaborate with other agencies,” said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield.  “Since 1990, canine teams have helped Ontario’s conservation officers protect our natural resources and keep our great outdoors safe.”

QUICK FACTS

• In addition to working with conservation officers, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ canine teams also provide assistance to the Ontario Provincial Police, municipal police services and other natural resources agencies.
• Canines accompany their handlers every day to work and ride with them in boats, snow machines, helicopters and all-terrain vehicles.
• The dogs trained for the Canine Services Unit are generally hunting breeds such as Labrador retrievers or retriever mixes.

LEARN MORE

• Find out more about how Ontario’s Conservation Officers protect our natural resources.

For More Information

Media Enquiries

David Bauer, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2212
Barry Radford, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-0652

ontario.ca/natural-resources-news

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)