Chase the K-9 police dog set for surgery

With more than 100 arrests on his record in capturing criminals in some capacity for the Sequim Police Department, Chase, the K-9 officer, is set for surgery this month to remove a possible cancerous mass in his intestine.

By Matthew Nash • February 3, 2016 12:05 pm
Sgt. Mike Hill with the Sequim Police Department and Chase the Dog have worked together to arrest more than 100 criminals and track at least 90 suspects since 2008. The Sequim Police Department seeks assistance with Chase's vet bills following a surgery for a possible cancerous mass.
Sgt. Mike Hill with the Sequim Police Department and Chase the Dog have worked together to arrest more than 100 criminals and track at least 90 suspects since 2008. The Sequim Police Department seeks assistance with Chase's vet bills following a surgery for a possible cancerous mass.

With more than 100 arrests on his record in capturing criminals in some capacity for the Sequim Police Department, Chase, the K-9 officer, is set for surgery this month to remove a possible cancerous mass in his intestine.

Since 2008, Chase has worked with handler Sgt. Mike Hill to assist other neighboring agencies more than 100 times and track more than 90 suspects and search 65 buildings for the police department.

Deputy Chief Sheri Crain said Chase, who has participated in public demonstrations and served as the driving force for the Sequim Dog Park agility course, has been out of commission since the diagnosis.

The plan was for Chase to retire this year but Crain said it’s unclear if he’ll come back to work after the surgery. But the procedure is expected to greatly improve Chase’s health and future, police officials said.

Community donations have paid almost entirely for the K-9 Unit since it began in 2000.

Crain said the cost of the program is fairly manageable each year and its largest costs come upfront when they begin training with a new dog and handler.

Following Chase’s retirement, plans to continue the K-9 program are likely says Police Chief Bill Dickinson.

“I believe that we do have police officers on staff who would like to succeed Sgt. Hill as a dog handler for us in the future,” he said. “Assuming that is the case, and assuming that the community continues to favor having a police dog in service for our community, then we will in fact continue to offer that service.”

Crain said there are a lot of reasons to continue the program.

“There are instances where you want a tracking dog,” she said. “That is a resource that Sequim P.D. and every (law enforcement agency) around here would use.”

Crain said a dog that tracks drugs would be used more but the legal system has narrowed the opportunities the police department can use a dog in those instances.

Training for the handler and dog is paid for by the police department, Crain said, but donations help with veterinarian bills and other upfront costs for the program.

Donations made out to the “Sequim Police Department K-9 Program” go directly to the program and can be made by contacting the Sequim Police Department, 152 W. Cedar St., or at 683-7227.