Georgia DNR Law Enforcement’s Newest Ranger is a Bit Young….and Furry!
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – DNR Law Enforcement’s newest Ranger hit the ground running this week on all four legs! He stands about three feet tall, weighs just 75 lbs, has a beautiful coat, and is only 16 months old.
K-9 Ranger “Titan” graduated last Friday after 11 grueling weeks of training with his handler (and partner), Cpl. Tim Hutto and has already begun his service to citizens in south Georgia, where he is based. Cpl. Hutto and Titan are assigned to Atkinson and Lanier counties but will work in many more counties in the region if called upon.
“We are pleased to have Titan as part of our team,” said DNR Law Enforcement Director Colonel Eddie Henderson. “I’m confident that he and Cpl. Hutto will be a valuable asset to the Division in the years to come.”
Titan has some big pawprints to fill. As many may remember, Cpl. Hutto’s previous K-9 partner, Gauge, passed away last October due to a medical condition. Gauge was instrumental in solving a number of cases in his four years with the Division.
Cpl. Hutto and Titan are one of eight Georgia DNR Law Enforcement K-9/Handler teams across the state. The program started in 1999 with two teams and was initially funded through a Byrne Grant from the U.S Department of Justice and from funds provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
After the loss of Gauge, funding for Titan was generously provided by sportsmen through the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation.
After the initial training with a new dog, the teams train a minimum of 272 hours per year in the areas of tracking, evidence recovery, wildlife detection, obedience, apprehension, agility, and officer protection.
For more information on the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation please visit its website at http://georgianrf.org/ .
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