FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday the hire of a K9 especially trained to find guns and ammunition in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
K9 Hondo is a person-borne detection K9, who will actively work in the school system, according to the sheriff’s office.
PHOTOS: One-of-a-kind K9 now home to WS/FCS to help find guns and ammunition in schools
“Hondo detects the presence of (firearm and ammunition) odors, whether they are still or moving, and then trails the odors back to their source, (locker, backpack)” the office wrote in a news release. “K9 Hondo is a 2-year-old Chocolate Lab and the newest addition to the FCSO K9 Unit, being sworn into the FCSO Family in April of this year.”
Officials said K9 Hondo and his handler Deputy Justice, are specifically assigned to the School Resource Division.
“It is unique to have a K9 trained only to detect firearms and ammunition. But K9 Hondo is unique – he is an investment solely in the safety of our students,” Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. said. “He is a progressive, alternative solution to the challenges we are facing. While K9 Hondo can only be in one place at a time.”