To the Editor:

I wish to take a few moments of your valuable time to share the idea of the "Rin Tin Tin Sniffer Project." I am sure you remember the stories of Rin Tin Tin, the hero dog of the past. There is no need to point out the pain and trauma of the current times with which our country is dealing since Columbine and Sandy Hook. These two tragedies repeated bring families to the end of their rope. These hateful disasters are magnified across the country and globe. Arguments and discussions go on ad nauseam, with the latest suggestion by our esteemed White House proposing teachers carry guns. At the same time, it appears some police officers do not comprehend what to do when a perpetrator is inside the school building. The scene looks a bit like Laurel and Hardy entertainment if it were not so tragic. Do we shoot over the tops of children's heads from behind desks? The legal ramifications of one bullet from a teacher's gun killing a child will be overwhelming. So far it seems fair to say that good people from both sides of the gun issue yell and march out of frustration and fear. Once the vitriol has passed it is back to same old, same old. They hurt and are fearful and want their government to do something that will remedy the horror of this travesty.

Let me share a concept with you for both your positive and negative insights. Some dogs are able to sniff out drugs and explosives, and track criminals. I have been informed of this by reliable sources in that field. If a perpetrator comes close to any type group function, the dog will zero in faster than a human guard. The dog's swift action can put the handler at an advantage as to the location of the perpetrator. The dog or a pair can be trained to attack the hands that are carrying the weapon. This could take the perpetrator by surprise and off target. If the shooter has not been killed, a brain scan can be done, gaining information of value for mental health, future study and to stop some future disasters.

Dogs would not be limited to schools. They could be used at concerts, golf games, parades, movie houses, public buildings, small venues, as well as political rallies. Dog handler could be a job for some vets. Even small businesses that train dogs and handlers could be developed. Venues could hire the dog handler team for their benefit. It is my understanding that this training costs between $2,000 and $5,000. That is a small price for the family who has lost a child. Perhaps there will be some who see this as too weak or too expensive an idea but to date, I have not seen anything but anger, tears, unenforced laws and more dead people. Consider sniffer dogs another possibility.

Respectfully

George C. Anderheggen, MDiv, PhD

6 Rosewood Circle, Monroe            February 23, 2018