The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office has a new handler for its K-9 dog, Blazer.
Sheriff David Parker told the Dispatch Record Deputy Justin Wilson will take the reins of the K-9 program and begin training in September. Former Deputy C.J. Faubion, who was undergoing training to become Blazer’s handler, no longer is with the department.
“It was unforeseen and kind of concerned me, a bump in the road, but it is working out,” Parker said of Faubion’s departure. “Justin has a good work ethic, and it is going to be good. I never like to see anybody go, but it is what it is, and we have someone stepping in.”
The LCSO acquired Blazer as a dual-purpose dog, with the ability to serve as protection and a backup unit, plus work narcotics and explosives detection. Parker said the cost of the dog and its training is $18,000.
The LCSO raised $35,500 in community donations for the K-9 program.
Originally, Faubion and Blazer were supposed to complete training and be on the streets at the end of August. Now, the process will restart with Wilson on Sept. 8.
Shane Menz of Saber Working Dogs is the supervisor of K-9 and handler training. Parker is not expecting the LCSO to pay too much more for what will be a second round of training.
“Shane said he will take care of us,” the sheriff said. “I don’t exactly know how much more it is going to be -- a couple thousand more than what it was initially. I can’t expect Shane to put in the hours and not get paid.”
Currently, Blazer is spending time with Menz before the dog begins the new bonding process with Wilson.
“He is tweaking on her a little bit because of some stuff she regressed on a little bit,” Parker said of the K-9 unit. “Deputy Wilson will pick up Blazer and start that bonding process before training starts.”
Parker said he expects Wilson and Blazer to graduate in mid-October. As a former U.S. Border Patrol agent and Immigrations and Custom Enforcement supervisor who is familiar with K-9 dogs, Parker doesn’t think the transition from one deputy to another will be difficult for Blazer.
“These dogs are really smart, very intelligent animals,” Parker said. “They attach and detach. It takes about two weeks, and sometimes they don’t have that long and roll into another handler and don’t miss a beat.”
