Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

'Pappy' Shows Worth As Deputy

Recovering a stolen vehicle netted the Clark County Sheriff's Office a $5,000 reward.

This reward, in turn, was used to help purchase a drug dog for the department.

Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker told Gurdon's Rotary Club how the CCSO was able to get "Pappy", the department's drug dog.

He said a national auto club gave the CCSO the reward after deputies recovered a stolen car insured by the club. While it is normally illegal for officers or law enforcement departments to accept rewards, this time was different, as the club had given other rewards in the past to different departments.

Tucker said Deputy Mark House had wanted to start a drug dog program, and the money was, therefore, used to help buy "Pappy," a large German shepherd. "Pappy" cost a total of $6,500, but, as Tucker said, has more than paid for himself.

House works with the dog on a daily basis, making sure it is on its toes and ready for action.

"Pappy" was trained by Greg Durham of Little Rock. Tucker said it took two months for Durham to train the dog by itself, with House working in the training program another five weeks. "Pappy" is certified by the Arkansas Standards and Training, and is an officer of the law.

While in Little Rock, "Pappy" was trained to detect drugs, primarily marijuana, methamphetamines and cocaine derivatives. In addition, the animal was trained in officer protection and will lay down its life to protect House.

Tucker said the dog is not mean, but does its job.

The Rotarians were given a demonstration of how "Pappy" works. House hid a small quantity of marijuana, sealed in a plastic bag and wrapped in a cloth bag, in the Senior Adult Center. "Pappy" sniffed the drug out and was rewarded by getting to play ball.

Playing ball, House said, is "Pappy's" favorite thing in the world.

"He lives for praise and to play ball," House said. "This is his reward for finding drugs."

Tucker and House said they work to keep "Pappy" from bonding with other people, and from having too many people pet him.

This, they said, means the praise, petting and playing is more important to him. Additionally, he will depend more on House for these things.

"Pappy" stays in a kennel at House's home. With House being single, it is easier for him to maintain a close relationship with the dog.

"Pappy", Tucker said, is welcome at all schools in Clark County. He said the school officials do not require any advance notice of the CCSO's plans to bring the dog in to sniff lockers and vehicles for drugs.

"We use the dog a lot in schools as a deterrent," Tucker said. "I get a copy of the school's schedule and work to avoid any conflicts. We try and visit all the schools a couple of times a year."

Along with being trained to find drugs and protect House, "Pappy" is trained to find people, and has been successful in this endeavor as well.

Tucker said the dog once found a criminal suspect hiding under the steps at the Gurdon gym.

But, as with us all, "Pappy's" career is limited. Tucker said the dog can be used until he's 10 or 11 years old, depending on the dog.

To "Pappy", finding drugs is just a game. When the drugs are found, he gets the praise, petting and playing he craves.

Fortunately, though, there are times when the dog's presence is enough to keep possible violent situations from occurring.

Tucker reminded the club how "Pappy" was used when there was a problem at a football game a while back, and how the problems ceased with the dog's presence.

"His being there can stop a lot from happening," Tucker said.

"Pappy's" name is a tribute to a former chief deputy with the CCSO, Tucker said. The animal was named in honor of Glen Owens, who was also good at finding illegal narcotics.