Trainer says there needs to be a ‘warranted reason’ for deploying a K-9

Months of training goes into getting dogs ready to serve in a law enforcement or military capacity.

Clover Street, owner of Marathon K-9 Academy said building trust and rapport with the dog is crucial to a successful partnership.

“Anyone can walk up to my dog right now and just pet her,” Street said. “But if they start to act shady, she’s going to notice that because that’s what she’s been trained for.”

Street has trained dogs working with police departments and the military.

“You spend a lot of time working with these partners,” Street said. “They’re going to target the right man. We encourage that tunnel vision. We teach them to look for threatening vs. non-threatening behaviors and to key up on that.”

A Colorado Springs Police Department K-9 officer was served a lawsuit on Monday.

READ MORE: Colorado Springs K-9 police officer faces lawsuit.

It claims that two years ago, CSPD officers were looking for a middle-aged white man, Officer Tim Browne came across Willie Watlington.

Watlington was leaving the Peak Tavern on E. Platte Ave. and Browne unleashed his K-9 unit “Blitz”.

Watlington was 24-years-old at the time, and is a black man, received multiple bite wounds.

The suit claims Browne’s supervisor told Watlington at the hospital that Browne violated CSPD policy.

Street explained there has to be a reason to utilize the K-9.

“When we look at use of K-9, use of force, there’s got to be a warranted reason for it,” Street said.

Street said the dog is a tool and a partner to help the officer.

“The K-9 gets deployed because there’s an issue where an officer could get hurt. That’s where K-9 comes into play. A K-9 is designed to bring the officer home,” Street said.

When KRDO NewsChannel 13 called CSPD for their comment on the lawsuit, we were referred to the city attorney’s office. The city told us they won’t comment on pending or active litigation.