Desperate for a lead on canine recruits

Sergeant Jason Owen says police dogs such as 5-month-old Buck are hard to find. Photo / Christine Cornege

They have four legs, a tail, and must be boisterous and confident - and Rotorua police need them now.

Sergeant Jason Owen, supervisor of the Rotorua dog section, is looking for young police dogs to replace two german shepherds, one that is being retired early on medical grounds and another that didn't make the grade in the nine-month training programme.

But suitable replacements are proving hard to find, with the usual channels such as dog breeders, other police stations and even Trade Me not providing any leads.

Mr Owen said police forecast how many dogs they would need each year but because of the two dogs dropping out they have fallen short. And finding replacements has been tricky.

The ideal candidates are male or female pedigree german shepherd dogs aged between 8 months and 2 years old.

They need to be "boisterous", confident around people and would be happy "running around chasing a ball all day". If the dog is hyperactive, even better.

"It may be that a dog that has grown to be too hyperactive for someone and is too much to handle, then that's perfect for us," Mr Owen said.

Rotorua police have five dog patrol teams, consisting of a dog and its handler, as well as one narcotic team.

"Our police dogs are a vital member of our team, he said. "They definitely become part of the family, but first and foremost they are working dogs that are making a critical contribution to the local community." The dog being replaced wasn't injured on the job but through "wear and tear".

Dogs chosen for the training programme have to compete to a high standard or they fail. "We have to keep the credibility up, we can't have slack dogs in there," Mr Owen said.

Although most police dogs come through a special breeding programme at the training centre in Trentham, others are donated by the public.

"Some of our best dogs have come from members of the public."

If anyone has a dog they think could be suitable they should call Rotorua police on 07 3480099.