Kinetics and Kinematics of Working Trials Dogs: The Impact of Long Jump Length on Peak Vertical Landing Force and Joint Angulation

Working trials is a competitive canine discipline based on work undertaken by military and police dogs. A 9 ft long jump is a key component of the discipline. Research into landing forces and joint angulation in other canine disciplines has highlighted the potential for the occurrence of soft tissue injuries, predominantly in the front limbs. There is a paucity of work into the impact of spread/long jumps on joint angulation and peak vertical force (PVF) on landing, and limited research on working trials dogs generally. This study aimed to determine whether altering the length of the long jump impacted PVF and apparent joint angulation upon landing. 21 dogs regularly competing in working trials cleared the long jump at three lengths: 9 ft (full length), 8 ft, and 7 ft. The impact of altered long jump length on the PVF, apparent shoulder and carpus angulation, and duration of landing, were analysed using general linear mixed models. There was no significant relationship between the length of the long jump and PVF or joint angulation on landing (p > 0.05). Greatest joint compression was observed on landing after clearing 9 ft. Individual variability in landing joint angulation, PVF and force distribution of the left and right front limbs on landing was observed across all three experimental lengths. We recommend further research is undertaken to examine individual variability and the effect of training and experience in working trials participants, to provide evidence-based recommendations for training people and competing dogs in this discipline.

A UTILIZAÇÃO DE CÃES PELA POLÍCIA MILITAR NA PREVENÇÃO E COMBATE A CRIMES NO ESTADO DE RONDÔNIA

This article aims to examine the use of dogs by the military police, particularly in the state of Rondônia, in fighting and preventing crimes. We used a deductive method, by conducting a literature review, interpreting laws and regulations regarding police activities using these animals as tools. The study was developed following a logic sequence from general to individual knowledge, and resulted in a concise assessment of this instrument in the daily routine of crime prevention and repression by the military police. It was noted that the use of police dogs was a less lethal procedure for crime repression, whereas police work proved more agile, efficient and with greater psychological impact in relation to other tools used by the officers, mainly based on the International Convention on Human Rights. The officer must, therefore, respect and preserve human life, by minimizing damages and injuries.

Give Them a Toy or Increase Time out of Kennel at Lawn Areas: What Is the Influence of These Interventions on Police Dogs’ Welfare?

This work was aimed at identifying the effectiveness of two interventions applied to a group of eight kennelled police dogs. Interventions consisted of access to a lawn area (350 m2) and “toy” (a 30 cm jute rag roll, hanging from the kennel ceiling), both available for 15 min a day, for four days in a row. We collected behavioural data and faecal samples for cortisol metabolites evaluation before, during and after interventions. Faecal cortisol metabolites levels were significantly reduced (Friedman, X2(3) =12.450; p = 0.006) during the second round of intervention, regardless of the type of intervention, indicating that the interventions can have a beneficial cumulative effect. Regarding the frequency of stereotyped behaviour, cluster analysis identified two groups of individuals: (1) high-stereotyping individuals (n = 3) that had a tendency to reduce stereotyping behaviours in the lawn intervention when compared to toy intervention (Friedman, X2(3) = 2.530; p = 0.068), and (2) low-stereotyping animals (n = 5) that did not present significant behavioural changes during the experiment. The variety of behavioural and endocrine parameters evaluated highlights the need to account for the individual in behaviour and welfare research. Overall, our results suggest that even simple environmental enrichment can be an effective method to mitigate behaviour and physiological signs of stress.

Kinematics and kinetics of dogs completing jump and A-frame exercises

Many police dogs do not reach their expected retirement age as they are no longer able to cope with the physical demands of the job. Annual licensing requires police dogs to complete a series of agility tasks, including jumping and negotiating an A-frame obstacle, both of which are associated with higher injury rates in canine agility competitors. This study sought to measure conformational, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of actively employed police German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs), whilst completing a 55 cm jump hurdle, and a standard A-frame. Each dog completed three repetitions of each obstacle and was also recorded at both walk and trot. Contact pressures and forces were measured, whilst joint kinematics were recorded using reflective markers and a high-speed camera. Results found that static hip angle was significantly correlated with hip flexion at trot, during jump suspension and at the apex of the A-frame. Stifle and hock flexion were greatest during the suspension phase of jump (56.98±11.710° and 54.51±17.430°). Shoulder and elbow flexion were greatest at the apex of A-frame (104.34±16.744° and 75.72±20.804°), whilst carpal extension was highest upon landing from the jump (125.77±7.071°). Peak vertical force (PFz) when normalised for body mass (BM) increased when landing from A-frame (14.28 N/kg BM) as opposed to landing from the jump obstacle (12.055 N/kg·BM). Our results show that increased range of motion (ROM) is required during both jumping and negotiation of A-frame compared to walk and trot, but more significantly, greater forces are incurred upon landing from the A-frame than compared to jumping. It was also observed that dogs were subject to high degrees of torsion in the distal limbs upon landing from the A-frame due to trained behaviours. We conclude that use of agility equipment generates greater forces through the musculoskeletal system and requires a greater ROM than what is experienced at walk and trot, which may contribute to early retirement ages in police dogs.

Prevalence, genetic, and biochemical evaluation of immune response of police dogs infected with Babesia vogeli

Background and Aim: Babesia species are tick-borne protozoan parasites of apicomplexan type which infect the erythrocytes of dogs it ranges from subclinical to severe cases, depending on different factors such as immune status, age, and presence of other co-infections with the Babesia species. Hence, this study aimed to identify the protozoan parasites infecting police dogs of different breeds, ages, and both sexes in Egypt. Concerning molecular detection of Babesia vogeli using conventional polymerase chain reaction sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, followed by the assessment of immunological and biochemical status of infected dogs. Materials and Methods: The blood of 242 police K9 dogs was collected. The age, breed, sex, and health status with clinical signs of dogs were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress analyses of the blood were performed together with gene expression analysis using two genes (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF- α]). The identification of the causative agent was performed using molecular analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The 18S rRNA region of canine Babesia spp. was successfully amplified, and sequencing data were deposited in GenBank (accession number: MT565474.1), which resembled those of B. vogeli. Results: The results of blood samples screening revealed that of the 242 blood samples, 62 were positive for B. vogeli infection. The infection rate in male dogs was higher than that in female dogs. The police dogs were classified into the following three groups of dogs: (1st group) healthy, (2nd infected with B. vogeli, and mixed infection of B. vogeli and Ehrlichia canis). The oxidative stress biomarkers levels in B. vogeli infected dogs were greater than that of healthy dogs. Likewise, IFN-γ and TNF-α level in B. vogeli infected dogs were elevated in infected dogs. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that B. vogeli had completely adverse effects on the health condition of the police dogs that may lead to death in some dogs.

Platelet Indices and Erythrocyte Parameters in Healthy Police Dogs in Khartoum State – Sudan

Normal levels of platelets and erythrocytes parameters and the effect of breed and sex on them in healthy police dogs were determined. Forty-six dogs were used; 20 Labrador Retriever and 26 German Shepherd dogs comprising 21 males and 25 females, 20-83 months old. Five ml blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein; and analyzed using BK6100 Auto Hematology Analyzer. German Shepherd dogs showed significantly (p≤0.05) higher values than Labrador Retriever dogs for Mean platelet volume (MPV) (10.43±0.71vs. 9.9±0.73 FL), Red blood cells count (RBCs) (6.75±0.26 vs. 6.51±0.27 x1012 /L), and Hemoglobin concentration (HGB) (180.81±9.53vs.172.4±11.98 g/L), respectively. Highly positive significant correlations (p≤0.01) were found between Platelet count (PLT) and Plateletcrit (PCT) in males, females, and all dogs, and between MPV and Platelets distribution width (PDW) in all dogs. A highly positive significant correlation (p≤0.01) was found between MPV and PCT in all dogs. A highly negative significant correlation (p≤0.01) was found between PDW and RBCs and Red cell blood distribution width- index (RDW-CV) in males and all dogs. Also, a highly positive significant (p≤0.01) correlation was found between PDW and Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in all dogs. A highly significant negative correlation (p≤0.01) was found between MPV and RBCs in males. A highly negative significant correlation (p≤0.01) was found between MPV and RDW (CV) in males. However, highly positive significant correlations (p≤0.01) were found between MPV and Hematocrit (HCT) in females. The breed may influence platelets and erythrocyte parameters and this should be considered in clinical interpretations.

Reliability of a New Bite Force Measure and Biomechanics of Modified Long Attack in Police Dogs

Information on the biomechanics of police dogs’ tasks is important in understanding their work-related injuries and dysfunctions. This study aimed to develop and test a measurement tool for dogs’ functional bite force and to report modified long attack-related kinetic and kinematic values. Twenty Finnish male police dogs, 7 German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) and 13 Belgian Shepherd Dogs, Malinois (BSDMs), were included. Dogs accelerated 25 m and bit the helper’s sleeve, fitted with three force sensors. Dogs were wearing a 3D accelerometer and were videotaped with a high-speed camera. The sleeve’s reliability for measuring the dog’s bite force was evaluated via intraclass correlation and Cronbach’s alpha. Otherwise, a Mann–Whitney U-test was used, with significance set at p = 0.05. The sleeve’s test-retest reliability was moderate to good (intraclass correlation of 0.75), and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha 0.75). The GSDs’ median bite force was 360.4 N (interquartile range (IQR) 628.6 N) and BSDMs’ 247.0 N (IQR 289.8 N). Median acceleration maximum was 7.1 gravitational force equivalent (g) and median deceleration maximum was 11.6 g, with highest recorded forces being 9.2 g and 13.1 g, respectively. The measurement sleeve was a reliable tool for measuring functional bite force in GSDs and BSDMs. Forces related to bite, approach and impact in the two breeds were reported.

Human DNA collection from police dogs: technique and application

Police dogs are routinely deployed during criminal investigations under a variety of circumstances. In instances where police dogs are involved in apprehension of suspects, contact with a suspect may be observed or may occur out of the line of sight. The interactions between suspect and dog may include the dog biting the suspect, or the suspect touching or exuding bodily fluids onto the dog. In either form of contact, potentially valuable DNA may be left from the suspect on the dog. This paper describes a proof-of-concept study investigating collection of human DNA from the teeth and hair of dogs. It used controlled settings, where the human DNA sources were touch and saliva, and field cases, where the human DNA sources were unknown. The results of sample analysis to identify DNA short tandem repeats (STRs) from each of these scenarios are provided. They highlight the potential and importance of collecting trace DNA from police dogs who may have had contact with suspects during attempted apprehension.