12- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 1, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" FALL REGISTRATIONS WE ARE GIRL GUIDES! Port Perry District Sparks: age 5 and 6 Brownies: age 7 and 8 Guides: age 9 to 12 Pathfinders: age 12 to 15 Senior Branches: age 15to 17+ Tretoil Guild Women Leaders Registration Wed., Sept. 9, 1998 Emmanuel Pentecostal Church 6:30 to 7:30 pm FB Start a Friendship NY (11S 110000) 8 Day Care Centres Inc. 399 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-0800 Junior Kindergarten Openings now available gionemoor Registration accepted for all ages Of year round (4 Car, ¢ ete? Open 6:30am to 6:00pm Call Karen for more info 985-0800 Footprints Dance Studio Dance & Movement for Body and Soul DAY & EVENING CLASSES STARTING SEPT. 21 For Adults/Young Adults V Contemporary Dance (Graham-based Technique) V Stretch & Strength Vv Dances for Everyday. Living For Children Vv Creative Movement/Dance Fundamentals Classes taught by Carey Nicholson, former professional dancer/choreographer & current taculty member of the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, Canada's Leading Modern Dance School INIEOJAN HOI NY Y.N I [0)) September 15 © 4:00-5:00 p.m. & September 18 » 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the new indoor pool/fitness centre at 16130 Old Simcoe Rd. Port Perry For more information call (905) 985-4914 Dog tops with Durham cops Chase, partner dedicated to catching the bad guys' By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star He stands on four legs, welghs 80 pounds, 1s 100 per cent loyal to his part- ner, and has made 53 arrests over the past nine months. He 1s Chase, a German Shepherd and a star in the Durham Regional Police force's Canine Unit. His partner 1s Constable Dave Mounsteven. Since November of 1997 the two have been a team, working together diligently "to catch the bad guys". Last Friday morning Chase and Const. Mounsteven were guests at the Scugog Womens' Networking Breakfast meeting, where the officer spoke about how valuable dogs are within the Canine Unit. The group gave a $200 donation toward the unit's operations Durham's Canine Unit began in 1990 with a German Shepherd, Leo, and his partner PC Peter Vanderduim. Leo proved to be such an asset that more dogs were needed as the unit expanded. Now that Leo has recently retired, there are four dogs in the Unit: Chase, Lex, Iron and Nuke. Chase and the other dogs were purchased from a breeder in Czechoslovakia at a cost of $5,000 each. Donations to the Canine Support Fund, which come from individuals, groups, and corporations help keep the unit running. Chase was purchased through a large donation from the Oshawa-Whitby Big Sisters. "Chase is a specialist in human scent," said Const. Mounsteven. "He's used to catching the bad guys." The super dog didn't come trained for police work. Instead, immedi- ately after Chase and his master were teamed up, they spent a grueling 18 weeks together at the Canine Academy in Toronto. Here the sable- colored dog learned skills in obedience, agility, track- ing and apprehension. He took his schooling seriously, scoring an amaz- ing 179.5 out of 180 in the track and field division. "He's the best dog in Constable Dave Mounsteven of the Durham Regional Police Force' Ss Conine Unit and his wonder dog, Chase, received a $200 donation from the Scugog Womens' Networking Breakfast group recently. Presenting the cheque are Marlene Bray-Trewin (left), Joan Pumphrey and Carol Gray. It's donations from groups, corporations or individuals that keep the Canine Unit effectively running. Ontario," his master says. After graduation Const. Mounsteven and his four- legged partner assumed their duties last November. Since then Chase has made 53 arrests; seven of those were made just this past June. His training has helped in the arrest of rob- BOARDING RG KENNEL g Wee R <W® Where They Get Tender Loving oS G; ° Hl DOGS & CATS "Training Classes Start September 17th « pre-Register Professional Grooming By Milena "Dogs Are Our Favourite People" 8560 Hwy. 12 N., Brooklin, (905) 655-4721 bers, a person wanted for attempted murder, and car thieves. "Rarely anything can stop him,' Const. Mounsteven said. "I remember when we were out chasing some thugs and came across this eight-foot, seven-inch high fence. I had to climb up and over, but Chase sailed over it," he said. "People tell us we're the luckiest team in the world." The respect for each other is mutual. As Const. Mounsteven spoke, his partner played with a ball at his feet or looked up at his master adoringly. "I really believe he would sacrifice his life for me," the officer said. "Twice already he's come to my rescue when I've been beaten by a bad guy." At the Canine Academy the two-year old wonder dog learned to be defen- sive, and never back down under any circumstances. "He has the drive to search and retrieve," said Const. Mounsteven. "He gets in a panic if he can't find a culprit; he's that determined to get the job done." The four-legged crime fighter lives with Const. Mounsteven and his fami- ly, where he's considered a working dog and lives in a kennel. When not called to duty, he loves to play. "He's best friends with my wife and our 18-month old son,' Const. Mounsteven said. In police work officers can get called out any hour of the day or night. When this happens, Chase is always with his partner. "He's the best partner," said Const. Mounsteven. "He's 100 per cent loyal."