Conservation Canines
The Working Dogs Of New Hampshire Fish And Game
Conservation Canines or "K-9s" are a unique tool to assist Fish and Game Law Enforcement in their investigations, apprehension of violators, and conducting search and rescue missions. Conservation Officers work with their canine partners conducting tracks, area searches, evidence detection, fish and wildlife detection, and search and rescue activities.
K-9 Aspen
K-9 Aspen
Handler: Conservation Officer Thomas Houghton
Breed: English Chocolate Lab
DOB: 08/11/2023
Gender: Female
Start of Service: 09/06/2024
Certified In: search and rescue: tracking/trailing and area searches; article searches, obedience.
K-9 Koda
Handler: Conservation Officer Richard Crouse
Breed: American Black Lab
Date of Birth: 05/20/2020
Gender: Male
Start of Service: 09/25/2021
Certified in: Gunpowder detection, evidence detection, fish and wildlife detection, tracking, obedience and agility
K-9 Cora
Handler: Conservation James Benvenuti
Breed: Black Lab
Date of Birth: 07/15/2016
Gender: Female
Start of Service: 08/19/2017
Certified in: Gunpowder detection, evidence detection, fish and wildlife detection, tracking, obedience and agility
K-9 Winni
Handler: Conservation Officer Ken St.Pierre
Breed: Chocolate Lab
Date of Birth: 07/19/2020
Gender: Female
Start of Service: 09/25/2021
Certified in: Gunpowder detection, evidence detection, fish and wildlife detection, tracking, obedience and agility
K-9 Moxie
Handler: Conservation Officer Eric Fluette
Breed: Yellow Lab
Date of Birth: July 15, 2017
Gender: Female
Start of Service: 08/20/2018
Certified in: Gunpowder detection, evidence detection, fish and wildlife detection, tracking, obedience and agility
K-9 Ruger
Handler: Conservation Officer Robert Mancini
Breed: Black Lab
Date of Birth: 10/25/2012
Gender: Male
Service: 07/01/2013 - 01/09/2022
Certified in: Tracking, fish & wildlife detection, evidence detection and obedience
After a dedicated career, K9 Ruger retires after nine years of service to the State of New Hampshire.
K-9 Ruby
Handler: Lt. William Boudreau
Breed: Black Lab
Date of Birth: 04/23/2011
Gender: Female
Start of Service: 06/19/2012 - 11/14/2019
Certified in: Tracking, evidence detection, search and rescue, and fish and wildlife detection
It is with a heavy heart that the Law Enforcement Division announces the tragic loss of one of our beloved K-9s, Ruby in November 2019.
K-9 Poacher
Poacher was the first certified canine with the Department and served from 2002-2010 with his handler, CO Mark Hensel. Poacher was a great tracking dog and participated in numerous search & rescue missions locating several missing people. Poacher also worked several investigations assisting other agencies by tracking suspects in a bank robbery, home invasion, car theft and homicide investigations.
After his retirement, Poacher spent several years with his handler and best friend swimming and 'diving for rocks.' Poacher passed peacefully with his handler by his side in December of 2015. He lived a long and joyful life and will be sorely missed.
Training and Certification
The criminal justice system requires all Law Enforcement canines to be highly trained and certified in their respective fields of expertise. Law Enforcement canines must also be highly trained and certified to be able to hold weight in a criminal trial. Conservation Officers and their canines are certified through the Vermont Police Standards and Training Council (VTPSTC). Their certifications include tracking, evidence detection, agility and obedience and fish & wildlife detection. Training is very intensive and conducted on regular basis to maintain an extremely high level of proficiency and reliability.
How You Can Help
The Fish and Game Department estimates the yearly costs of a canine to be approximately $2,000. This accounts for food, veterinary bills, and general wellness and disease prevention. (But not unforeseen emergency medical conditions, which can drastically increase costs.) Whatever the cost to keep a Conservation Canine healthy and on the job, it's an inexpensive price to pay to have a highly trained and competent canine team coming to look for your lost love one, or help catch the criminals and those who decide to violate our fish and wildlife laws. In fact, there is little argument that canines are some of the most cost-effective tools used by Law Enforcement and Conservation Officers.
You can help support this essential unit by sending a donation to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH – Canine Fund, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301
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