The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is expanding its K-9 training program to enhance its efforts in drug detection, explosive detection, and tracking. This initiative aims to deploy highly trained dogs across the state, providing valuable support to law enforcement.
Lt. Boyd Lamb, a veteran with 19 years at DPS and 12 years in the K-9 program, recently invited reporters to the training facility in Florence, Texas. Here, untrained dogs undergo rigorous training to become specialized law enforcement tools. “We take a dog from knowing nothing to becoming a working machine,” Lt. Lamb explained, emphasizing the program’s commitment to building skills in drug detection, explosives, and tracking.
Currently, DPS operates 74 K-9 teams statewide, which includes 51 teams focused on drug detection, nine on explosives, and around 13 tracking teams. Many of these teams are involved in Operation Lone Star, a state initiative aimed at curbing drug smuggling and unauthorized border crossings. Tracking dogs are particularly crucial at the border, assisting in the capture of individuals attempting to evade law enforcement.
K-9 handler Landon Ravun, stationed in Del Rio, shared his experiences during a recent mission. He and his dog, Bona, successfully tracked down a fugitive wanted for murder, showcasing the effectiveness of their training. “It’s a super important job that we do,” Ravun said, highlighting the impressive capabilities of his K-9 partner.
The training for handlers and their dogs is intensive. After a pre-training phase that lasts between six and 15 weeks, each pair undergoes nine weeks of joint instruction. Lt. Lamb noted the strong bond that forms between handlers and their dogs, describing how these animals become part of the family. He recalled the emotional impact of losing his dog after retirement, saying it felt like losing a family member.
Beyond their roles in drug and border enforcement, DPS K-9s also participate in search-and-rescue missions. One notable case involved a tracking dog that helped locate a missing man with special needs, who had wandered away and was in urgent need of help. Lt. Lamb recalled, “Our K-9 team found him and got him back to his family. That moment alone made the entire program worth it.”
As the DPS continues to expand its K-9 units, they aim to ensure that highly trained dogs are ready for any mission across Texas. This proactive approach not only enhances law enforcement capabilities but also reinforces the vital role that K-9s play in community safety.