North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Patrol Wildlife Detector Canine Program

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission began a study in 1987 to determine the possibility of creating a canine program especially designed to meet the demands of wildlife law enforcement. As a result of this study, the Commission began a pilot program in 1988 to evaluate the use of canines in the field. Due to the success of this pilot program, the decision was made to expand in October 1995. Through proper training and deployment, the Commission's canine program has become a successful and innovative law enforcement approach directed toward the detection and apprehension of wildlife law violators.