Ten teams make up the Plymouth County Sheriff's K9 Unit. Each team consists of one deputy and one dog, which train, work and live together 24/7. The Unit falls within the Sheriff's Field Services Division and is under the command of K9 Operations Lt. Paul Foran and K9 Training Lt. Mark Correia.

The Unit's primary function is the patrol of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility and perimeter. The Unit also assists local police in locating fugitives, missing persons and drug searches. The Sheriff operates a training school for novice and veteran law enforcement K9s and their handlers. As a public service, teams often perform demonstrations for schools and at community events.

2009 BY THE NUMBERS

*K9 responded to 587 calls for assistance in 2009, up from 490 in 2008.

*Of the calls in 2009, 351 came from local police departments with the remainder from the Correctional Facility, Bridgewater State College, Environmental Police, Warrant Unit back-up, and out of county calls.

*Tracking missing persons or suspects and drug searches made up the majority of call outs.

*In 2009, the K9 Unit recovered drugs on 35 occasions and brought 30 people in custody.

*In 2009, Lt. Mark Correia certified six new K9 teams in Basic Patrol Academies, including two PCSD teams, a Raynham Police Team, a Somerville PD team, and two deputies teams from the Middlesex County Sheriff's office.

Lt. Paul Foran & K9 Wolf

Sgt. Jim Noland & K9 Dargo

Deputy Pat Charette & K9 Hondo

Sheriff McDonald and the K9 Unit present a retirement plaque to K9 Reno’s handler Deputy Pat Charette. See Reno’s Retirement story: HERE