Recently a group of us have been privileged to be part of the Jefferson County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Citizens Academy. We learned the ins and outs of our remarkable Sheriff’s department. One of the most invigorating episodes was meeting the department’s police dogs. Four dog’s sniff out lost children, hidden drugs, track fugitives, defend their officers, and attack bad guys on command.
Some of us were given the opportunity to be up close and personal with Chief Tim Herzog’s dog Ryker. Wearing protective gear we played the bad guys. Intimidation is a muscular dog latched on, barking and not letting go until commanded.
Each dog has a unique disposition. Deputy Lathe Daniel’s dog Raven is all lover. She sought out many of us, rubbing against legs, flashing her smile and coaxing pets and pats.
Officer Kayla Daniels’s dog is not a social butterfly. He is all business. He is aggressive and has been called, “mean.” We were instructed not to pet Sev. He is not cuddly with strangers. He is a one-woman dog. With a bit of a smile Kayla said, “He is a little hateful.”
We were awed to see Sev in action under blue street lights at night. A man wearing a padded suit stood 30 feet away from Kayla. Sev, down on his haunches beside Kayla, fixed eyes on the man. His focus was intense, trembling with excitement, listening for the command. Kayla gave a seriously loud command in Dutch.
Sev launched his seventy pounds like a cannon ball and clamped down on the man at the shoulder. The man shouted his imaginary, grimacing pain. He acted as co-trainer, playing his part. The dog swung from the man’s shoulder like a pendulum, barking as he gripped with his teeth. When commanded instantly the dog released the bad guy, and wiggling with joy ran to Kayla where he was given his reward, a ball on a strap, a brief tug of war and words of praise.
Sev has a back story. He almost flunked as a police dog. He started at another department but his handler left and no one else was willing to take him on. Sev was more alpha than his trainers. This handsome Malinois/Shepherd was “untrainable.” He and another aggressive dog were retuned to the seller and kenneled. No one wanted them. The other dog was euthanized. What was to be done with Sev? Thousands of dollars were spent to get him a passport and bring him from the Czech Republic. The dog was a working animal and would never make a pet.
The woman who owned the company didn’t want to destroy Sev. She connected with Kayla. A few years earlier she had sold a Malinois to her. Would she take on this dog? Sev was “kennel aggressive.” When people came near him he would bark and growl like he wanted to attack and chew on them. Kayla was willing to give it a try. The woman drove the dog from Virginia to Kayla without fee to give him away. This would be Sev’s last chance.
The dog came muzzled. When let out of the kennel he muzzle-butted Kayla. She wondered, “What did I get myself into?” She released him in the yard and acted as if she was ignoring Sev. He ignored her. At last the dog came over and leaned against her leg. Training Sev would be a tough go but Kayla had grit, dog-savvy and “dogged” patience. Kaylas was no novice, but Sev was a challenge. She would have to invest many hours in one on one training plus hours in dog handing school.
Kayla is one of those people with a natural affinity for animals. She grew up on a farm, worked as a veterinarian’s assistant, and trained animals at the knoxville Zoo. She has her own dog obedience school with fifteen years of experience. In 2013 she came to work animal control with the Sheriff’s Department. In 2015 she became a police officer.
Kayla confessed there were times when she was intimidated by Sev. She knew what damage an unruly dog could do, but she did not show that to the dog. After she had been working with Sev for several weeks, and felt he was under control, the dog bit her. “The bruising lasted two weeks. After he bit me I considered giving up.”
Were there be too many obstacles? It is hard to bond with a dog three to four years old, and with Sev’s disposition it was that much harder! Kayla’s patient and skillful taming and training were tenacious!
Today Sev is an outstanding police dog. Power under control. They work narcotics, sometimes assisting other agencies. Sev has a great nose. At a vehicle stop recently he demonstrated his mastery. He sniffed outside the car, did a quick head kick and froze to point out the scent coming from within. A heavy load of drugs was found. Give the dog some praise! And lots of respect to his handler!
Sev has wonderfully bonded with Kayla. He is a one-woman dog who romps and plays joyfully, but only with her. He will never be the cuddly teddy bear some want in a dog. He is a work dog and loves every minute. In fact, the hardest thing for Sev is to be off duty.
Although Sev is well trained Kayla is always vigilant to make sure there is a respectful distance between the dog and others. Ongoing training is demanded to sharpen their edge. Off duty the dog stays in Kayla’s heated garage. She credits Sev with her own personal development.
Excellence is often hard to find but we find it in this “dog meets woman” tale. Sev’s story might have turned out differently had his life not providentially intersected with Kayla’s courageous, skillful and patient hand. They are a story of redemption our Sheriff’s Department and county should be proud of.
Steven C Johnson
Landing Strip Enterprises
Thank you, Steve. What a wonderful article. Touched my heart and brought a few tears to my eyes. Redemption indeed.
May you and yours have a wonderful new year. God bless.!!
Robert E. Bayles,
Steve,
Great dog story.
Great diligence story.
Great feel-good story.
GREAT REDEMPTION story.
Very well done.
Dr. Harvey Brown
In Father’s love,