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Houston County sheriff’s office welcomes new K9

DOTHAN, Ala. — The Houston County sheriff’s office is using a new Belgian Malinois dog with experience in Afghanistan.

The dog, Panter, worked in a military deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from September 2011 through March.

Sheriff’s Cpl. David Asbill said the department bought the experienced dog for a fraction of the cost of a typical police dog. Panter cost $3,500, compared to a typical cost of roughly $14,000.

The Dothan Eagle reports the 5-year-old dog can detect narcotics, apprehend suspects and protect handlers.

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