Pubdate: Tue,  2 Apr 2002
Source: Benton Courier, The (AR)
Copyright: 2002 Benton Courier
Contact:  http://www.bentoncourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1223
Author: Carrie Turner

SHELBY READY TO GO TO WORK

BRYANT - Shelby, a 15-month-old Labrador retriever, proved to be worth her 
salt Monday.

The animal was recently purchased from the Little Rock K-9 Academy to serve 
as a narcotics dog in the Bryant School District.

Trainer Tony Smith tested Shelby by hiding narcotics in metal boxes. The 
animal detected two bags of narcotics, much to Smith's surprise.

"I only hid one unit of narcotics," he said. "One of our other trainers 
left narcotics and she detected both of them. These dogs are accurate."

School resource officer Sgt. Keith Byrd of the Bryant Police Department 
will serve as the animal's handler. Byrd serves primarily at Bryant Middle 
School.

"Shelby will help find any drugs in backpacks, cars and lockers in the 
school," he said. "I feel that her presence will serve as a deterrent for 
students who bring drugs to school."

Byrd said Shelby is trained to sniff out marijuana, cocaine, 
methamphetamines and heroine.
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