Drug-sniffing K-9 new addition to North Augusta Public Safety

"Business as usual" may get a little more challenging for local drug dealers in the days ahead, by virtue of another four-legged officer having joined the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.

Max, a 4-year-old German shepherd originally from Belgium, had Monday as his first official day on duty and is launching into a career as Glenn Nichols' partner.

As an officer relying on a canine's keen nose, Nichols joins fellow officers John Rutland with Fila and Aaron Fittery with Alica.

"We have a dog on duty, I would say, probably about 70 percent of the time," Nichols said. "They're all drug dogs. They're trained on, I think, seven different types of drugs - the main ones being cocaine, meth, marijuana and heroin. Most of the other drugs we have are derivatives of those, of some sort."

Max was acquired from the Aiken Department of Public Safety, having helped sniff out contraband for about two years.

Nichols said, "He does live with me. He goes home with me every night and goes to work with me every day. He's a little bit more than a pet. He's with me almost 24-7."

He added, "We get along great. We had about a week to train prior to going into service ... and we were evaluated by the vice president of the USPCA, which is the United States Police Canine Association, and I believe his quote was that we looked like a seasoned team."

Nichols' agency went to the dogs - or at least one dog - in April 2006, when Fila was assigned to Rutland.

In two years, Fila helped sniff out tens of thousands of dollars in drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia.

A dog duo was established in January 2008, with Alica being assigned to Fittery.