For Immediate Release

March 12, 2018

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla—A Walton County Sheriff’s Office K9 has earned another trip to the United States Police Canine Association National K9 Trials in New Jersey.

K9 Kayne and handler Sergeant Kristin Pond took first place in vehicle narcotics detection, third place in room narcotics detection, and placed second in the category of inter-department teams along with Officer Tommy Nguyen and K9 Dobies of Tarpon Springs Police Department.

In addition to Kayne’s success, Deputy Damon Byrd and K9 Jester and Deputy Steven Tector and K9 Drago both earned USPCA Certification for Patrol Dog 1.

“We’re proud of our entire team and what they’ve been able to accomplish,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Even with all the changes to the unit in the past year they are still representing our agency at the top level!”

K9 Kayne missed the title of Region 1 Top Dog by .67 of a point.  More than 40 teams from Florida and Alabama competed in the competition held in Santa Rosa County.

Kayne and Pond have been invited to travel in May to New Jersey to compete in Nationals.