Workin’ like a dog

kriner@sunmulti.com

Even

though there’s a new dog in town, the old dog is certainly not forgotten.

But

instead of sniffing out drugs, it’s squirrels and an afternoon nap he’s after

these days.

For

nine years, Rex, one of the Perry Police Departments K-9 units, faithfully

served Houston County and Perry. Corporal Justin West, Rex’s handler recalled a

standout moment in Rex’s career when he and other officers seized $187,000 in

cash as a result of a traffic stop.

Since

his retirement two weeks ago, the German shepherd has been living the good life

at West’s home.

The

new dog in town is Lily, a Black

Labrador Retriever who is still learning the ropes of road patrol with West.

The 2-year-old dog is a narcotics detector. Lily, just like Rex came to Perry

Police Department from a handler with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

West

said, “She is already working hard for us and has made several arrests in just

a few weeks.”

According

to West there isn’t a lot of difference for him in going from a German Sheppard

to a Black Lab, he said they all work the same they might just have different

habits.

West

said a benefit of Perry having Lily is that he believes she has a softer image

and is less intimidating making her better to take into schools and public

events.

The

transition wasn’t easy, admits West. Rex didn’t exactly want to retire. West

said Rex “still wants to work”. Rex gets antsy as West puts on his uniform and

cranks his patrol car to head on shift.  

Although

Rex loved his job and is still excited and wants to work West pointed out that

retiring him is the humane option at this point. Reasons for this include Rex’s

increased soreness from arthritis and his age.

Perry

Police Capt Heath Dykes said, “Rex made a lot of large drug and money seizures

for our department, he was a great asset to what we do.”

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