Perry Police Department – Sgt. Armando Sanchez and new K9 partner Ingis

Perry Police Department’s Sergeant Armando Sanchez now has a new canine (K9) partner, Ingis. His former K9 partner, Jay, is set to retire soon.

“Most canines work anywhere between 10 to 12 years,” Sanchez said. “Jay is just a little over 10 years old and is still a great working dog, but it is time for him be a dog and relax. He has served well.”

Jay is certified in tracking and explosives detection. Prior to Jay coming to the Perry Police Department, he served in the military with the Marine Special Forces, and went on two tours in Afghanistan.

“Mainly, Jay’s role in our K9 unit was doing sweeps before every big event held in the city,” Sanchez said. “For example at the Georgia National Fair concerts in Reeves Arena, we would conduct an explosive detection sweep, making sure the facility was safe. And other events we would do a sweep were the Dogwood Festival Balloon Rally, Independence Day celebration, and music festival. Jay also has had a very successful tracking rate.”

Earlier this year the department got Ingis from Lieutenant Marsha Peavy with the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office. Sanchez said he believes his new partner is from the Czech Republic. Ingis is about 1.5 years old and is a brown German shorthair pointer. She officially became certified in explosives detection last week at the South Georgia K9 Seminar that was held in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

“It’s been an awesome experience working with Jay; he’s the first dog that I have handled, and he’s made it easy with his military training,” Sanchez said. “Even though Ingis and I just certified, we still have a lot of work to do, as she is still a puppy. But she has a lot of potential to be the best bomb dog in the county.”

Sanchez is also working to have Ingis certified in tracking. Her first official day on the road was last weekend.