On October 26th and October 27th the Elk Grove Police Department’s Canine Unit hosted the Western States Police Canines’ Year End Trial. The first day of the event was the narcotics detection portion. Three canine teams from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Canine Detail participated, including Shaun Hampton with Kyzmo, Todd Henry with Rex, and Kyle Hoertsch with Rocky. This portion of the trial had two separate search phases; one included a full size tour bus with five possible narcotics finds for the team. The second search included five cars also with five different possible narcotics finds.

Out of twenty teams participating, the Sheriff’s Department placed in five categories.

Shaun Hampton and Kyzmo: 2nd place Bus Interdiction
Todd Henry and Rex: 1st place Vehicle search and 2nd place Overall
Kyle Hoertsch and Rocky: 3rd place Vehicle search, 4th place Overall, and 6th place for the entire season.

The second day of the event was the patrol dog portion held at Elk Grove Park. Five canine teams from the Sheriff’s Department competed against 40 other canine teams from around the state. The teams included Shaun Hampton with Kyzmo, Rick Kemp with Clint, Steve LeCouve with Dantes, Todd Henry with Rex, and Kyle Hoertsch with Rocky. This portion the trial has three areas the teams are judged on which include search, obedience and agility, and handler protection.

Kyle Hoertsch and Rocky took honors by placing 5th in the handler protection phase and 2nd overall. This gave Kyle and Rocky five trophy placements for the entire trial!

Steve LeCouve and Dantes took Top Dog Award for the 2007 trial season. This was the second consecutive year that Steve and Dantes were awarded this highly coveted honor!