Dogs are not just good for companionship. They are also extremely useful as partners in various jobs including security. Indeed, most police forces maintain a K9 unit that is comprised of highly trained canines with special abilities. They can do things that normal humans simply can’t because of their superior physical attributes. For example, they have exceptional hearing which enable them to detect sounds from far away. They can even hear frequencies that are beyond the range of the human ear. Their sense of smell is also incredible as they can quickly differentiate scents and follow their trail. These and more have proven to be quite beneficial to law enforcers.
Specialties of Police Dogs
K9 units are typically trained for specialized tasks to sharpen their skills and prevent confusion. Some are used for search and rescue such as in the aftermath of an earthquake. The dogs can try to locate survivors in the rubble so that responders know where to focus their efforts. Others are tasked to detect objects like bombs, drugs, and other illegal paraphernalia. They could sniff their way across a property to find where they are hidden. The rest might be trained in apprehension and attacks. For example, they might be taken to a scene where police are hunting down fugitives from the law. They have the speed to chase people down quickly and track them wherever they go.
When Things Go Wrong
All of these underscores the impressive abilities of police dogs. However, it must also be noted that they have flaws just like humans do. They are not always able to communicate effectively even after rigorous training on signaling. They do not always follow commands, especially if there are certain types of stimulus in the area or they have not form a good bond with their handlers. Although tehir senses are incredible, these are not 100% accurate all of the time. They might also apply more force than is necessary in various situations which could lead to serious injuries.
Compensation for Injuries
Victims of unjust police dog attacks can try to get compensation for their injuries. Of course, it is not possible to sue the animals themselves since they have no legal standing. However, their handlers and the police force as a whole may be found liable if they are found guilty of neglect. They have the responsibility to keep the dogs under control. If a K9 unit is known to exhibit unusually violent behavior but was still used in the field, then there is clearly a big problem. If the police just looked on while the dogs applied excessive force on a person, then they might have violated operating procedures. Get a dog bite attorney to discuss your options.
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