Okla. police department breeding dog to save money

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) — He wears a black fur coat and struts around like he owns the place.

Meet "Tyson," the Claremore Police Department's male prostitute.

"We're in the pimping business over here," Police Chief Stan Brown said of the department's canine officer.

The city council recently approved a stud service contract for Tyson with Canine Unlimited of Tulsa Inc., which specializes in training police dogs and handlers. The first of its kind for the company, the deal could generate $3,000-$6,000 annually for the department, Canine Unlimited of Tulsa owner Scott Tarpley said.

"It's not something we're trying to get rich at," Brown said. "... But it gives us the ability in the future to continue or add to our canine program."

Tyson, a Belgian Malinois, was purchased from Canine Unlimited in September 2009, said Claremore Sgt. Steve Cox, who handles the dog. After years of training, it became apparent to Tarpley that the pooch was something extraordinary.

Tyson sports a strong "prey drive," or willingness to track movement or prey, he said.

"Over the years, you try and try and try and try to mix a female with a male to come out with just the right drive," said Tarpley, a former St. Louis (Mo.) County police officer. "If you get too high a drive, you get jittery dogs. You actually go over the top and get something worse. This guy is just unbelievable.

"This dog would be a superior hunter. All of that's important in police work."

At 95 pounds, according to Cox, Tyson weighs 30 pounds more than the standard-sized, American Kennel Club-registered Malinois, Tarpley said.

"In police work, it gives them a longer fight," he said. "You have people who are on drugs that can last through pain. This is a formidable opponent. This is human-sized."

Tarpley's desire to continue the bloodline led to the breeding agreement.

According to the deal, he will present a female to Tyson once or twice every two years. Canine Unlimited would get the female pick of the litter, the Claremore Police Department the male pick, as well as the remaining pups, which Tarpley would house and work to sell, he said.

At around $1,000 per pup, the police department could reasonably expect to bring in $3,000 to $6,000 annually, Tarpley said.

"It helps buy equipment," he said. "It helps chiefs stay with the program, instead of looking at it as a money-sucker. Some of the chiefs, they are such good administrators. They see the money coming in and the money going out and they don't realize what the dog's doing.

"We've had guys who have documented seizures that the dogs have been a part of, and it just blows the chiefs away."

Tyson and his initial training were funded by Claremore-based Healthy Community Partnership for about $9,800, Brown said. A local veterinarian donates his medical services, but the dog's annual maintenance — he eats six cups of food a day — runs at least $5,000 a year, Brown said.

His presence, however, is invaluable, police said.

"Guys give up easier if you have a dog," Cox said.

Tyson is trained on tracking and apprehension and is certified in the detection of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, Cox said.

About a year ago, the canine officer sniffed out 25 pounds of marijuana in a box intercepted by the United States Postal Service.

"He's cheap compared to a person," Brown said. "You get into a situation where he may have to diffuse the situation or take a bad guy out. You're looking at an investment that we're more willing to sacrifice.

"It's more understandable that we sacrifice a canine instead of a person. That's just the reality of it."

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com