The cadaver dogs who helped crack a quadruple murder
Northeast Philadelphia (WPVI) -- Hank and Storm are Philadelphia Cadaver dogs helping to solve cases. Getting the job is no walk in the park. Their training is extensive and can last up to 6 months.
"Just for scent training alone it is 10 weeks. That is 10 weeks spent everyday, whether it is hot cold or anything else outside with your dog," trainer and handler Janie DiPasquale told Action News.
Just last week Hank and Storm were instrumental in locating the bodies of the missing men buried on a Solebury Township Farm.
"Based on what Hank did up there, he gave a trained indication, and based on that, there was an outcome where the investigators were able to recover the missing men," said Richard Trenton, of the K9 Unit.
The dogs' handlers, Officer Alvin Outlaw, who works with Storm, and Officer Richard Treston, who is paired with Hank, say it was the weeks of training and guidance that prepared them for the heavily wooded conditions that they encountered in Bucks County. Hank sniffed out the grave first and Storm followed up with the same results.
"I have been training with the dogs for four years but every time they make a find it still amazes me." said Officer Handler.
When Hank makes a find, he scratches and barks. When Storm makes a discovery, she scratches away at the location alerting her partner. The dogs are not given treats but as reward for their hard work they are given their favorite toy. For Storm, that's a tennis ball. Hank gets a tugging toy.
The officers and the dogs work hand in hand as a team, and the human partners say the canines' success is their success.
"It made me feel very confident and proud of Hank. The bonding is very important with police K9s. We take our K9s home they live at home with us, they are part of the family," Officer Treston told Action News.
