On July 9 at approximately 2:40 a.m. Wetzel County Sheriff Deputies Rob Scott and Rob Haught responded with the Wetzel County Sheriff K-9 unit to a request for assistance by the New Martinsville Police Department to locate a fleeing suspect. K-9 Hawk was utilized in the tracking of the suspect who had abandoned his vehicle. The suspect was located and apprehended in the area of the AAA Trailer Court. Wetzel County Sheriff James Hoskins said “K-9 Hawk and Deputy Scott are trained in the tracking of individuals. Both Wetzel County Sheriff K-9 units are dual K-9 units. Deputy Scott and Hawk are trained in the detection of illegal narcotics and also in tracking of suspects and/or missing persons. The recently hired K-9 unit of Chief Deputy R. Haught and Mauser are trained in illegal narcotic detection and tracking of suspects and/or missing persons.” A team effort by the Wetzel County Sheriff’s office and NMPD enabled the K-9 unit to track and apprehend a fleeing suspect. Brian Todd Cartwright was charged DUI with injury and leaving the scene of an accident by NMPD. “I will continue to utilize both Wetzel County Sheriff K-9 units in our efforts to eliminate criminal activity in Wetzel County and to assist other agencies which have a need for my K-9 units,” said Hoskins. Chief Deputy Haught has a special relationship with Mauser, whom he has raised and trained from a pup. Mauser is now three-and-a-half years old and a full 100 pounds of obedience. On Haught’s command, Mauser will seek drugs or anything that he has been trained to detect. Although Mauser senses when someone such as a child has no fear of him and he can be quite gentle, he can, like all dogs, also sense fear and can attack on command or to protect his master. Mauser is capable of detecting a trail or scent for quite some time and will recognize people he has met after a year or more. A real asset to the county law enforcement team, Mauser knows when he is on duty that law breakers should beware. Haught says, “Mauser knows when its time to relax, but when he is needed, he’s all business.”