Chicago Police Department Rescues Drug Dog From Shelter

By Anna Deem in News on Nov 7, 2009 8:00PM

Pantera, a 16-month-old black Labrador, recently joined the Chicago Police Department's organized crime division, as part of a new effort to recruit police dogs from shelters instead of expensive breeders. Pantera was adopted in May for only $98 by Officer Steve Martinez, who visited the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League close to half a dozen times before picking Pantera because of the dog's "high degree of maturity and strong drive," Martinez told the Chicago Tribune. Since completing his training in different drug detection techniques, Pantera is now the youngest certified narcotics detection dog in Chicago's history. Pantera has already helped police recover evidence and assisted in search warrant operations with the narcotics team, the department said.

"I'm hoping he's the first of many (to join the department)," said Terri Sparks, the Animal Welfare League's marketing and public relations director to the Tribune. "It shows that shelter animals aren't people's leftovers. We've got a lot of good dogs here."