Lancaster Correctional Institution earned second-place honors at a regional K9 tracking event in Brooksville last week.
According to a press release, 11 Florida Department of Corrections Institutions from northeast Florida participated in the event.

“I am immensely proud of our K9 teams and their hard work behind the scenes in preparing to assist emergency calls in our communities,” said Florida Department of Corrections Region II Director of Institutions John Palmer. “Our officers’ dedication and commitment to crafting their skills correlates to real lives saved in the community.”
The main job of K9 tracking teams is pursuing escaped inmates, the press release said. Because those instances are rare, the teams aid local law enforcement in capturing dangerous fugitives and finding missing children and vulnerable adults.

According to the press release, the Region II’s K9 teams have responded to 487 calls, assisted with 138 fugitive apprehensions, and 30 missing and vulnerable people since January 2023.
The training included day and night events that focused on tracking human scent, conditioning for rough terrain and distance progression, according to the press release.
With this rigorous training, these teams are valuable assets to local law enforcement and help keep their communities safe, the press release said.
Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry took home first place, and Mayo Correctional Institution finished third.