K-9 Teams
The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is composed of two teams run solely on community donations.

Deputy Andrew Zeigler & K-9 Teaka
Deputy Zeigler handles K-9 Teaka, a 7 1/2 year-old Shepard trained and certified in tracking.

Deputy Kevin Rumsey with K-9 Rex
Deputy Rumsey handles K-9 Rex, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in tracking, narcotics, and handler protection. K-9 Rex is New York State Certified in all fields. Deputy Rumsey and K-9 Rex also hold advanced certification from the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA).

Training
Both K-9 teams formally train at least every two weeks in Yates County with a master trainer. This is done in addition to the numerous hours of maintenance training that is conducted at home. Each year, both K-9 teams attend the Yates County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Seminar. At the seminar, the teams train with expert trainers from across the country.

Tasks
The K-9 Unit of the Sheriff’s Office is available 24 hours a day, and can be called to perform many tasks including:

• Tracking / Searches
  K-9s are trained to track and find people, whether they are lost people, missing children, or suspects of crimes.
• Narcotics Searches
• Both K-9s are trained to find marihuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin. The teams train in homes, warehouses, and vehicles, but are also used in schools and make routine searches of the jail.
• Handler Protection
  K-9 Rex and K-9 Teaka are trained in handler protection, or what is commonly referred to as “bite work.” In this capacity, K-9s are used to protect their handler from being attacked. They are also used to apprehend fleeing criminals.
• Demonstrations
  Both K-9 teams participate in demonstrations for various groups, schools, and organizations. The teams look forward to bringing the dogs out and showing the public what a great resource the Sheriff’s Office has.

If you would like to know more about the K-9 Unit or are part of an organization that would like to schedule a demonstration, please feel free to call Sergeant Maloney at (607) 535-8222.