(COLORADO) — A trio of four-legged investigators and their two-legged handler are joining the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention’s Fire Investigations Branch.
An announcement on Monday, Aug. 5, introduced Brian Eberle and his three K9s, who are specialized in tracking and detecting ignitable liquid and decomposing human scent. According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), arson is an underreported crime, and it is often difficult to determine the cause of many fires, so arson dogs play a key role in the investigations.
“It’s all hands – and paws – on deck to better protect Coloradans and our communities this fire season and we are excited to welcome ROTC, Hiccup, Moose, and their handler Brian, to the team. We know that their experience will help save lives, support critical investigations, and strengthen Colorado’s wildfire response capacity,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Eberle has served for 21 years in the fire service, coming from his most recent assignment overseeing the Fire Investigation Unit and working as a K9 Handler. He has trained and worked with K9s since 2007 and is the co-founder of Bloodhound Man-Trackers.
CDPS said Eberle and his dogs have assisted dozens of law enforcement agencies on arson, homicide, and missing persons cases. He is a member of NecroSearch International as a Decomposing Human Scent K9 Handler, a K9 resource for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and was a K9 Search Specialist for FEMA’s Colorado Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Team. He has testified several times as an expert witness in K9 detection.
“ROTC, Hiccup, Moose, and, of course, Brian represent a tremendous addition to our fire investigations team. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer the skills they possess to our Colorado citizens. Having investigator Eberle and his three K-9s join us in our mission to assist local jurisdictions with determining the cause of the fires that occur across our State will undoubtedly benefit countless communities,” said Chief Chris Brunette of the Fire and Life Safety Section at the Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
ROTC
K9 ROTC (pronounced “Rotsy”) is a 7-year-old male Yellow Lab certified as an ignitable liquid detection canine through Maine State Police, under the guidance of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. In service since 2020, he has assisted dozens of agencies, including the ATF, CBI, and FBI on numerous fires.
Hiccup
K9 Hiccup is a 3-year-old male Bloodhound trained in tracking/trailing and detecting decomposing human scent. In service since 2022, he has volunteered his time as a K9 resource with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and NecroSearch International.
Moose
K9 Moose is a 3-year-old male German Shepherd trained in decomposing human scent detection. He has served since 2022 and also has volunteered his time as a K9 resource with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and NecroSearch International.
