Explosives working dogs are kept in this enclosure in the back yard of a residence on Rim Road where Animal Control issued the owner a citation for incessant barking. Courtesy photo

Jennis Pruett expresses concern to the Los Alamos County Council Tuesday evening about the living conditions and treatment of the explosives working dogs housed at a residence on Rim Road. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

There is great respect for dogs who work explosives. They perform an important function, and they do it with loyalty, and from my observations, enthusiasm. So why would any person or company keep them in small cages, in the elements, disconnected from handlers, without decent facilities, during their non-working hours?

This is the situation our residential neighborhood finds itself in now. At 515 Rim Road there is now a kennel-like situation where dogs are “to be rotated every few weeks” into and out of the residence. I approached a new resident about the barking dog in the chicken coop like cage in the backyard. The caged dog, about 50 pounds, more or less, had been barking all day. There was another dog in the house, also barking, but not seen at the door.

The new resident explained his company, K-9 SOS based in Oak Ridge, Tenn., is contracted with LANL to handle explosives working dogs, for the next 7-12 months, and they will rotate dogs in and out frequently. This home, at 515 Rim Road is owned by out of state landlord Jesse Sievers. He refuses to speak to me or to view photos of the situation offered by animal control officers. (The response this week ending Oct. 30, is to post bright yellow KEEP OUT signs on the fence.)

Explosives working dogs are kept in a structure in the back yard of this residence at 515 Rim Road. Courtesy photo

Neither of these people or companies has any stake or interest at being part of the local neighborhood. Barking for hours on end is unpleasant for a very quiet neighborhood, true. So the employee told me he was going to buy a bark collar. But a collar to stop a dog from natural activities is not a solution. This dog has the right to complain about his circumstances, and I heard it. This small cage subjects the dogs to animal cruelty and neglect.

When I asked the handler why the dog is in a cage and not in the large fenced yard he told me he’d “get out”. The vast majority of homeowners with pets in Los Alamos have fenced yards where their dogs are allowed to move about. If the fencing is inadequate for his dogs, then the fencing should be addressed as it is for any pet owner.

There is no reason to inflict suffering on these dogs. The bark collar has quieted the dog in the cage (except for 2 a.m. barks that last a few seconds, just long enough to wake up local residents, but not long enough to call animal control). Now, instead, the poor dog whimpers and cries. It is heart-breaking.

Residential zoning should not allow for kennel-like situations. The dogs never acclimate, and the neighborhood suffers from new dogs “rotated in” when they bark – collar or not. Those of us in the area who have to witness the cruel situation are subjected to a diminished quality of life as well-not to mention the messages we give the next generation about the ethical treatment of animals.

I urge you to voice your concerns to LANL, to K-9 SOS, the Better Business Bureaus in New Mexico and Tennessee, animal rights groups, and to your county councilors.

Editor’s note: The Los Alamos Daily Post contacted K-9 SOS, LANL and the Los Alamos Police Department’s Animal Control Division for comment about this situation and received the following replies:

A Laboratory spokesperson said, “The Laboratory is fully aware of the complaint from the community regarding a security officer and service dogs. To assure that these animals are being cared for properly and not mistreated, we have directed the sub-contractor that provides these services to immediately do a full on-site review and report.”

K-9 SOS personnel said Tuesday that the company’s CEO in Oak Ridge, Tenn., would call back with comment but he has not done so.

Deputy Police Chief Jason Wardlow Herrera said, “Animal Control responded to barking dog complaints taking place at that residence and our Animal Control Officer cited the owner for incessant barking. She observed that the dog could walk around in the structure and had access to food and water in accordance with Los Alamos County ordinances, so the owner did not receive additional citations.”

Wardlow Herrera added that police are meeting with LANL officials Friday to discuss the situation in further detail.

Update: An arraignment scheduled this morning in Los Alamos Municipal Court was canceled after the handler arrived early and entered a not guilty plea.