Mary Allen
Introduction: The Myth of K-9
K-9 is a term commonly used to refer to police dogs. These dogs are trained to assist law enforcement officers in various tasks such as tracking criminals, detecting drugs and explosives, and apprehending suspects. The term "K-9" is often associated with a certain mystique, with some people believing that it stands for "canine unit" or "killer dog." However, the origins of K-9 are more mundane than the myth suggests.
The Early Days of Police Dogs
The use of dogs in law enforcement dates back to ancient times. The Romans used dogs to guard their homes and estates, while the Egyptians used them to protect their temples. In the Middle Ages, dogs were used to track and capture outlaws. However, it was not until the 19th century that dogs began to be used systematically by police forces. In 1835, the London Metropolitan Police started using bloodhounds to track criminals. This was followed by the establishment of the first police dog training center in Ghent, Belgium in 1899.