Libby was found and rescued. Some day Libby might find someone and rescue them.
Libby is a 15-month-old black Labrador retriever living and working with Ben Womelsdorf, the area Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game warden. Womelsdorf, who is in his fifth year as a KDWP game warden, was certified in April as one of five members of the KDWP K-9 unit.
“Training for the K-9 unit was the most stressful and difficult of any of my wildlife department training but they (other KDWP officers) were right, it is extremely rewarding,” Womelsdorf said.
“Libby is a great dog. We found her at the Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts Humane Society. She had been found in Kansas City, running the streets, and moved to the Wamego animal shelter, which is a no-kill shelter.”
Womelsdorf said the KDWP K-9 unit used Labrador retrievers because of their even temperament and excellent tracking skills. He said the department targeted dogs to rescue for the job.
Once he found Libby, he and his dog went through a 400-hour training period. The dogs and handlers learn man-tracking, wildlife detection and evidence recovery.
“She did very well. The dogs live with the handlers and we bond with them,” Womelsdorf said. “We haven’t had any technical usage here in the area yet. I expect more work for Libby when fall and winter hunting seasons roll around.”
Right now, it’s practice and more practice for Libby and Womelsdorf. She’s with him most of the time as he patrols as game warden.
“In this heat, she’s been left at home a lot this summer which she hasn’t liked,” he said. “We will be doing public programs and demonstrations with her.”
The KDWP K-9 unit handlers and dogs not only work wildlife cases, but will assist other law enforcement agencies if they are called upon. The dogs are trained to track humans.
Womelsdorf said the K-9 Unit was established through donations in 1992. Hills Science Diet of Topeka provides all the dog food at no charge for the unit’s dogs. He pointed out that Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts waived all adoption fees for Libby.
