Arson K-9

The investigators for the City of Orlando Fire Department now have an added tool to aid in the investigation of suspected arson fires. Maxine, a black Labrador Retriever, is trained to sniff-out petroleum-based accelerants. Her partner is Lt. Dave Haley with OFD’s Arson/Bomb Squad. Max and Dave were trained for five weeks in May of 2000 at the Maine Accelerant Detection Canine School in Alfred, Maine. They are certified as a team by the Maine Academy of Criminal Justice. The training was sponsored by State Farm Insurance Company, who provided for their travel to and from the school, room and board and training costs.

Max is a “companion dog” and travels with Lt. Haley at all times, even riding next to him on her return flight from Maine. She is on a food reward system, and must work to receive the four to six cups of food that are given to her at different times of the day. This means a lot of work for the K-9 team, as an accelerant detection drill must be successfully performed before Max is hand-fed her reward. This process keeps Max sharp and ready to work.

Labrador Retrievers are chosen for accelerant detection training because of their scent discrimination abilities, their willingness to please, and their social acceptability. Labs are friendly and playful, and can move in crowds without causing alarm. This is helpful in finding arsonists because they often hang around to observe their handiwork. Arsonists usually contaminate themselves with the accelerant and Max can show her partner who may have started the fire.

The team of  ‘Max and Dave’ continues today to be an integral part of OFD’s Arson/Bomb Squad.