HOW POLICE, THEIR FRIENDS MAKE THE COLLAR SERVICE DOGS TAKE THE LEAD SATURDAY.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Hundreds watched demonstrations by police dogs from law enforcement agencies across the county on Saturday at College of the Canyons. The event was held by the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association.

Dog handlers from Santa Monica, Hawthorne and several other departments stood by their cruisers to let children pet the German shepherds and Labradors retrievers used in patrol, narcotics detection and suspect apprehension duties - all demonstrated during the event.

Travon Johnson, who drove in from Santa Monica, said he wanted his sons Jazz and Justice to get a glimpse of how strong and courageous a dog can be.

``I wanted to bring the boys to see the dogs go through the obedience and agility exercise,'' he said. ``The search and rescue dogs are my favorite because they have a very different task at hand. It's hard to have to find, then rescue someone. In a way, they are like lifeguards.''

Rick Strait of Valencia brought his daughter Ally, 10, because she loves dogs. Ally, who wants to be a veterinarian, was particularly touched by the work of Guide Dogs of America. The group brought dogs in training to demonstrate how they work with the blind.

``They help people who otherwise couldn't go to places without their help,'' she said.

Canyon Country resident Lisa Schmieder and her daughter Lea Morgan, 15, said they came to see the dogs in action on the field.

``I saw some of the dogs (with the handlers), and they were all very friendly,'' Schmieder said. ``I think it's great that they help (police officers). It's sad if the dogs get hurt, but they are helping to save somebody.''

Each year, the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association, a nonprofit organization, holds the event to raise funds for police dog training, care for retired police dogs and for instruction by Guide Dogs of America.

Frank Miller, president of the association, said it tries to raise about $50,000 through the event, which also includes a vendor fair at which companies specializing in pet supplies and pet-related products also help out.

Miller said dogs were introduced to law enforcement agencies in the 1970s and instantly became ``a highly visible police tool.''

Back then, dogs were used for patrol and protection. ``Now they do everything,'' he said. ``They detect contraband, narcotics, bombs. You have those that search for cadavers and those that search and rescue. Dogs can do it all.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Members of the Los Angeles Police Canine Association, above, stand with their charges Saturday at College of the Canyons football stadium. At top, Harlo, a guide dog in training, gets some love from Karlen English, 14, at the event.

(3) Brian Hagerty, portraying a bad guy, is taken down by King, a K-9 dog with the San Fernando Police Department, as SFPD Officer Danny Carrillo runs in to assist.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer