Release Number: 11-270
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Pinellas County Animal Services
Corporal Paul Rogers (First successful use of agency issued dog catch pole)
Age: 49
Hire Date: 01/29/1995
What: The Sheriff’s Office had it’s first successful use of the agency issued dog catch pole. The success follows the first ‘Animal Encounters Training’ class held for law enforcement on November 10, 2011.
The next class, set for December 1, 2011, will be open to interested media.
Additional successes on November 14, 2011 included the use of the catch pole by a deputy to contain a dog and return it to its owner; help free a raccoon that had a small plastic jar stuck on its head in the Eastlake area; and remove a three foot alligator that had made its way into a residential area of Palm Harbor.
Where: The successful use of the catch pole took place at 1832 Royal Oak Place East in Dunedin.
When: The first successful use of the catch pole took place at about 1:25 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011.
How/Why:
On Monday November 14, 2011, deputies responded to a call of a dog running loose in the area of 1832 Royal Oak Place East in Dunedin. The dog was reportedly emaciated, did not have a collar or tag and would not let deputies approach.
Corporal Paul Rogers arrived on scene and was able to use his agency issued catch pole to restrain the animal.Custody of the dog was turned over to Pinellas County Animal Control Services.
Corporal Rogers is among the first deputies to complete the Sheriff’s Office first ‘Animal EncountersTraining’ for law enforcement. The first class was held on Thursday, November 10, 2011.
‘Animal Encounters Training’ is an innovative four hour course designed and developed by members of the Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Pinellas County Animal Services. The course provides deputies with the additional information, skills and tools necessary to best handle animal related calls, in particular dog related incidents.
The class includes instruction on animal ordinance procedures; recognizing animal behavior; criminal law related to animal abuse/neglect cases; and practical capture exercises using a ‘catch pole.’ Upon completion of the course, deputies are issued a catch pole for use in the field.
Additional successes on November 14, 2011 by other deputies who also completed the training included the use of the catch pole by Corporal Linda Willet to contain a dog and return it to its owner; and the use of the catch pole by Corporal Curtis Kindle to help free a raccoon that had a small plastic jar stuck on its head in the Eastlake area; and help remove a three foot alligator that had made its way into a residential area of Palm Harbor.
The next training class is set for 8:00 a.m. to noon on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Pinellas County Animal Services Building located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Media is invited to attend.
Please contact the Sheriff’s Public Information Office at 727-582-6221 for further information.
