K-9 UNITS BUILD STRONGER BONDS SEPT. 11 STORY SHOWS OFFICER, DOG RELATIONSHIP.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

BURBANK - Officer David Lim and his canine partner, Sirius, were on their usual rounds at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, when Tower One was struck by terrorists.

``We were in Tower Two, and I said, stay here, Sirius, I've got to go help those people,'' Lim, an officer for the New York Port Authority Police, recalled earlier this week.

Those were his last words to the yellow Labrador retriever, an explosion detection dog and his partner for more than a year, who died in the tower.

Lim's story became the focus Wednesday as part of the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association's second annual training seminar in Burbank.

More than 45 law enforcement officials who are professional canine handlers came from across the nation and world to participate in the three- day training courses.

``We've got some of the best trainers here in the country,'' Lim said. ``We're all pretty close-knit. This is important for us because we exchange information that is extremely helpful.''

Co-founded by Officer Craig Bragdon of the Burbank Police Department, the nonprofit association provides education, training, legal updates, and funding for equipment and canine health insurance to K-9 units countywide. So far, more than 130 K-9 units belong to the association, Bragdon said.

For the last three days, officers and about 40 dogs participated in field work exercises in such areas as building searches and narcotics, bombs, and chemical detection.

Most of the dogs are born and bred in Europe, so commands are given in the dog's native language, the officers said.

``You've got people here from every jurisdiction coming together and showing each other the tools of the trade,'' Bragdon said. ``We want to make sure we are all doing the same job.''

For many of the officers, listening to Lim's story reaffirmed the bond they share with their canine partners and the potential dangers they face each day on the job.

Lim explained how he became trapped in a stairwell for several hours, staying close to an elderly woman who could not make her way out. That's when Tower Two collapsed.

More than 30 Port Authority Police died on Sept. 11. Sirius was the only canine to perish.

When rescue workers found his body at Ground Zero on Jan. 22, there was a moment of silence, and the dog was given a hero's burial.

``We have a special bond with our dog,'' said Bragdon, works narcotics and patrol with his K-9 partner, which is one of three K-9 units in the Burbank Police Department. ``They become a part of our family. We rely on them as a tool, but they are also our best friends.''

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Photo:

(1) Carlo, a Santa Monica police dog, works Thursday with trainer Steve Stoops at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank, which is hosting the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association's second annual training seminar.

(2 -- 3) Obus, a Port of Los Angeles police dog, trains Thursday at Stough Park in Burbank, above. At left, sheriff's Deputy R.J. Robert of Nye County, Nev., confers with his K-9 partner, Igor.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer