New beat for police dog Roc
Published: May 26, 2006
Constable Warren Sangster reckons his dog Roc is just a big teddy bear - but criminals may beg to differ.
Mr Sangster and Roc are the new team at the Taupo police station and are keen to start their job tracking down offenders.
It’s the first time Taupo has had a dog handler in two years and local police believe the duo will help bring down the town’s reported crime rates.
Sergeant Tereipa Morunga said having a dog handler would make a huge difference.
“There are worth their weight in gold.”
Until now any tracking that had to be done meant calling in teams from Rotorua and often, by the time they arrived, the offender was long gone, Mr Morunga said.
Mr Sangster has been working with Roc for the past four years in Hamilton and has moved with his family to Taupo.
He said while it was a pretty demanding role, dogs were a great asset to the police.
“It’s good back-up to assist staff,” he said.
Roc is the third dog Mr Sangster has had after two other dogs didn’t make the grade during training.
Mr Sangster said while he and Roc were partners it was the four-legged team member that led the way.
“If he’s going through the swamp I’m going too. I just hang on and go with him.”
The handler said the pair had been in some violent situations during their time together but the most satisfying part of the job was finding people’s property.
And although criminals might not believe him, the 36-year-old said Roc was an extremely well-natured dog.
“He’s a big dog, but he is a teddy bear.”
He was also part of the Sangster family and particularly enjoyed trampolining with the children, his handler said.
Roc and Mr Sangster are to be joined in Taupo by another dog and handler next month to complete the station’s dog unit.
Meanwhile, they are looking for buildings and yards to use for training purposes.
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