MUPD introduces new bomb-sniffing dog

The University of Missouri police department has a new member of the police force – bomb sniffing dog, Brass.

The department hasn’t had a bomb sniffing dog for the past year. It’s old trainer left, so they needed to wait until they had the funds for a new trainer and dog.

MUPD received a donation from a local family. They combined that donation with its own funds to bring back the bomb sniffing dog.

Last spring, the lack of the dog became apparent when there was a bomb threat at the student center on campus.

MUPD had to call Capitol Police in Jefferson City for help. Captain Brian Weimer said they have had to have a partnership for the past year.

The dog sniffs out odors bombs give off. It generally checks the football stadium before game days.

MUPD has used the capitol police dog to help with the football games for the past year.

It is now the only one in the county, so Weimer said they will be working with the county to be able to use Brass all over.

Joan Haaff astrained Brass, who was born in Holland. After Brass moved to the United States, he was trained in Pennsylvania and introduced to Haaff.

The two started refining his training together June 29 and finished around the first week of August.

According to Haaff, bomb sniffing dogs are more friendly than other K9 units because they work on praise as opposed to aggression.

When Brass is off duty, he lives with Haaff and her other dogs.