Teams that entered the competition ranged from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
(Ripley Co.) - Deputy Justin Batchelor and his K9 partner Dex competed in a multistate competition at Onpoint K9 Academy in Scottsville, Kentucky. K9 Dex was purchased from Onpoint K9 Academy last April. Teams that entered the competition ranged from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
During the week-long seminar, Deputy Batchelor and K9 Dex, along with other Lawrenceburg and Aurora K9 units, were put through various patrol and narcotic scenarios. Deputy Batchelor and K9 Dex won 2 awards while attending the 12th Annual Seminar.
The first award is the Hard Dog/Fast Dog, which takes place in an open field with a decoy with a bite suit on. The handler deploys the K9 and judges score how fast the dog gets to the decoy and how hard he bites/hits the decoy.
The second award, the Gene England Award, is described by the Onpoint K9 Academy owner, Jason Hanley, as the handler who goes above and beyond to make their community, fellow officers, and their K9 partner safer while having an outstanding positive and professional attitude.