AUSTELL, Ga. — Just minutes before Austell K9 Onyx arrested three suspects following a manhunt involving a gun, he was giving Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne a training demonstration.
Winne got an inside look at how the Austell Police Department trains K9s, including the man whose job it is to get attacked by the canines.
“So you’re about to give us a demonstration of how a police K9 does an apprehension?,” Winne asked Sgt. Brandon Clark.
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“Correct,” Sgt. Clark responded.
Once the demonstration began, an officer could be heard shouting at Sgt. Clark, who was pretending to be a criminal and wearing a protective suit. “Austell police with a K9! Stop or you will be bit! Austell police with a K9, hands up or you will be bit!,” the officer said.
“It’s something we do in training,” said Sgt. Clark.
“Last chance. Hands up, or you will be bit. Get him,” the officer shouts before releasing Onyx, who locks onto Sgt. Clark.
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After two demonstrations, Sgt. Clark’s arm has little more than some bumps and bruises.
Austell Police Chief Bob Starrett said bruises on an arm or leg often beat the alternative. He added that a K9 can head off a confrontation that might lead to lethal force, often keeping both officers and suspects safer than they might be otherwise.
Sgt. Clark said there has been a daily outpouring of support for Austell K9 Jerry Lee since he was shot in the leg last month.
Lee recently had to have his leg amputated in order to preserve his quality of life.
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