Sitka SAR Dogs
Dear Editor: As an international instructor in all aspects of K9 SAR and having worked in K9 SAR for over 29 years I have had the pleasure of participating with the Sitka SAR dogs in their training.
Having worked five major mud debris slides over the years I know how difficult and dangerous they are.
I wish to extend a huge congratulations to Lt. Mike Motti with his search dog, Karen Royce Kluting with her search dogs and the other Sitka Fire Department, State Troopers, and Fire Department staff who all participated in the search and recovery of the three victims of the slide and the saving of one very scared and lucky golden retriever from the vehicle crushed by the debris pile.
For those who aren’t aware of this, all of the SAR dogs in Sitka are cross-trained to find both live and dead human victims and they’ve documented doing both with a high degree of success over the 30 years that I’ve known them.
On this search I’ve been in contact with Karen Royce Kluting along with Susan Royce.
In observing the search, I’ve seen the difficult task that they and the SEA dogs had to undertake.
I’m very proud of their efforts and success.
Their dogs alerted to specific locations. The victim’s remains were recovered where their SAR dogs alerted and this goes to show that cross-trained SAR dogs trained to find both live and dead humans are effective and accurate in their tasks.
I also wish to congratulate the SAR Coordinator from the Alaska State Troopers who did an outstanding job overseeing this case.
Harry Oakes,
Search and Rescue Coordinator,
International K9 SAR Services,
Longview, Wash.
sardogk91@aol.com
www.k9sardog.com
Salmon Mistreatment
Dear Editor: Now is the time of year again where our local salmon make their last trek to recreate life.
We enjoy watching the salmon make their way upstream – we visit the Halibut Point Recreation Area during the week and Starrigavan on the weekends.
We recently spotted a group of young boys wading through the stream smashing the salmon, kicking and clubbing them. We chased them off. Sadly this is almost a daily occurrence.
Please remind your children to leave the salmon alone. They are on a hard journey. And parents, while you’re at the park, watch your kids so this won’t happen. The fish are not there to be manhandled or beat up.
If you’re there, please stay out of the stream. Parents, take a moment to go to the stream and explain to the kids what’s going on.
We thought we saw people also fishing the stream out at Starrigavan. If they were there by mistake, they’ll be disappointed as the fish in the stream are already dying.
I called the police and they contacted the State Fish and Game and State Troopers. Today, the State Troopers walked through the park. We’re hoping they continue to keep a lookout. Thank you.
Will and Carey Hanbury, Sitka
