Deputy dog
By JULIE THIBODEAUX
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Like many a crime fighting duo in the movies, Deputy Robert Payne and his partner are best friends.
The Wise County Sheriff’s Department officers work in tandem by day, then head home together every evening.
But Payne’s partner, Dusty, is no ordinary sidekick. He’s a narcotics detection dog and has become an adopted member of the Payne household
“My wife and kids all adore him,” said Payne. “He’s an integral part of my family.”
The five-year-old Belgian Malinois was donated to the department by Devon Energy Corporation in 2005 – one of four donated by the energy company to law enforcement agencies in Texas and Wyoming.
The two have become fast friends, after Dusty’s former handler moved to another location six months ago.
Payne said he jumped at the chance to pair up with Dusty.
“I love dogs and animals,” said Payne, who applied for the job along with a dozen others. “I’ve always wanted to be a canine handler.”
Today, Dusty accompanies Payne on searches where his job is to root out illegal drugs at crime scenes as well as local junior high and high schools.
The highly trained pooch can sniff out traces of cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana or heroin — where physical searches have come up empty.
Dusty is an enthusiastic partner and laps up the praise when he’s performed well.
Like a dog who’s snagged a Frisbee, whenever Dusty noses out something, he stops, looks at Payne, then back at the location and back at Payne – all with a big grin on his face, panting, he said.
“He’s like a big kid.”
Dusty appears to have found his calling.
When Payne grabs his car keys to head out for work, his canine colleague makes a beeline for the door.
And according to Payne’s wife Eliyah, a reserve police officer for the city of Rhome, Dusty has been known to mope around the house when Payne must go on a job without him.
“He loves to work,” said Payne.
