LAW enforcement has a new weapon against arson, and it happens to be man’s best friend.
Arson Dogs have been used since 1986 to detect accelerants, which can sometimes single out arsonists.
Law enforcement officials, arson dogs and State Farm first teamed up in 1993 through a State Farm-sponsored Alfred, Maine course. Maine Specialty Dogs trained the dogs to the standards of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Since 1993, State Farm has sponsored more than 200 arson.
K-9 teams in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces.
A dog’s keen sense of smell allows him to pinpoint where a fire may have started. To continue their work fighting arson, dogs must demonstrate they haven’t lost that ability and must be tested each year by Maine Specialty Dogs to assure they meet the standards of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
Arson dogs and their handlers must be recertified on an annual basis. This is critical because it helps establish the credibility of the dog and dog handler’s skills, especially when cases go to court. It’s very difficult to prove that a fire was arson and connect someone to setting it, so the arson dog adds a powerful weapon to the investigator’s proof.
State Farm pays to train 10 teams each year. To learn more about the program, visit statefarm.com®.
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If you suspect a scam, call the NICB hotline at 1–800–TEL–NICB.
For information about auto insurance and insurance fraud, contact your insurance agent.
( Published on January 3, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. C5 )
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