Canine Briefing Training Outline
OPD K-9 BRIEFING TRAINING
Purpose:
Due to the often fluid and tactical situations where Police K-9’s are deployed, the possibility of
injury to K-9’s, Handlers, other Officers, and suspects are much higher than other calls. This
briefing training will address some of the concerns that have arose from previous debriefs
following K-9 deployments.
Issues:
Question: May an officer use lethal force to defend the life of a police dog?
Answer: No. Although many may feel a moral obligation to protect our K-9 partners, there is no
legal authority to defend the life of a police K-9 when the articulable threat is to the K-9 alone.
A police dog is defined in technical, legal terms as a piece of equipment, like a drone or a police
vehicle. A police horse is under the same legal definition. If at any time the officer articulates
that the deadly force used against the police dog poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury
to the officer or the public then the use of lethal force may be justified based on the totality of
the circumstances.
Question: If a police K-9 is injured along with the handler, can another officer transport and
provide care to the injured dog?
Answer: Yes. If both the handler and K-9 are injured, any officer can use the K-9 trauma kit
located in the rear of the K-9 unit. It is in a green bag. If needed there are soft muzzles and
leather muzzles in the K-9 units which can be placed on the dog. If you are assigned to caring
for the injured K-9 you should transport the dog to one of our approved 24 hour emergency
trauma veterinary hospitals as soon as possible. Below you will find the names and addresses
of the facilities.
24 Hour Emergency Trauma Veterinary Hospitals
1. VCA Yorba Regional Animal Hospital
8290 E. Crystal Dr.
Anaheim CA, 92807
714-921-8700
2. VCA O.C. Veterinary Specialists
3021 Edinger Ave
Tustin CA 92780
949-654-8950
Question: If a handler is injured and the K-9 has been deployed, can another officer handle a
police dog while biting a suspect?
Answer: Yes. A police dog is trained to remain “On the bite” until removed or told to let go,
referred to as “Outing the dog”. Once a dog has been removed from biting a suspect, the dog
will remain focused on the suspect and generally will not turn to bite the officer handling the
dog. Once the incident in stabilized the dog should be immediately placed in the K -9 unit.
-Practical Application: a demonstration of “Outing” a dog from a subject using a bite
sleeve will now be completed.
OPD K-9 Trauma Kit and Muzzle