Two K9s Join Virginia DWR Conservation Police Force

(Left) Senior Officer Bruce Young and K9 Blaze (Right) Senior Officer Cameron Dobyns and K9 Atlas (Photo courtesy: DWR)

VIRGINIA (WFXR) — There are two new officers in town and they are ready to take office. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) welcomes two K9 officers to its team.

On May 10, K9 Atlas and Blaze completed their training and joined the DWR Conservation Police K9 program. Senior Officers Bruce Young and K9 Blaze will work in Henry County, while Senior Officers Cameron Dobyns and K9 Atlas will work in Essex County.

For nine weeks, K9 Atlas and Blaze worked with a K9 officer from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“They all did very well. It’s a lot of work for every handler and every dog,” said Sergeant Richard Howald of the DWR Conservation Police, who is a veteran of the DWR K9 force and leads the K9 training program.

Sgt. Howard found K9 Blaze and Atlas. K9 Blaze is the sibling to another litter of DWR K9 Coal, and K9 Atlas came to Virginia from Mobile, Alabama. Sgt. Howard said Blaze and Atlas have different personalities but are both smart and hardworking.

DWR K9 teams play a vital role in locating missing persons and uncovering evidence. Their skills and expertise have helped bring criminals to justice and reunite families with their loved ones. Maj. Ryan Shuler, deputy chief of law enforcement for the Virginia Conservation Police, says K9 handlers and their dogs are a true force multiplier.

“Their abilities to locate items and evidence and locate suspects and missing persons enhance our ability to protect Virginia’s wildlife resources and citizens.” We are excited to welcome Senior Officer Bruce Young with K9 Blaze and Master Officer Cameron Dobyns with K9 Atlas joining the DWR K9 program,” said Major Shuler.