New arson dog takes over

Canine PJ bounced into a room full of fire officials Aug. 17 ready to take on his new job as top arson dog for the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The nearly 3-year-old yellow Labrador retriever is the fifth K9 to undergo training for arson detection for the fire marshal’s office. PJ and his handler Deputy Michael Pfaffenhauser have already attended 300 training events and now will be the point team for fire investigations up and down the state, and will help across state lines.

“He’s the only dog we have in the state,” Pfaffenhauser said.

PJ replaced K9 Tanya, an 11-year-old black lab who made her last appearance as an arson dog at the state fire marshal’s office in Georgetown. Tanya’s handler, Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal John Galaska, said she will get to have a real dog’s life now.

“We’ll spend a lot of time throwing her a ball,” he said, as Tanya stared intently at the tennis ball in his hand.

Arson dogs are taught to sniff out petroleum-based accelerants by using food as an incentive. When they detect an accelerant, they point out the spot with their nose and sit until the handler marks the spot. They then get a food reward. The dogs are only fed by hand by their handlers.

Pfaffenhauser said he looks forward to working with PJ, hoping it will be for at least the next five years.

“It’s great because you get to bring your friend to work,” he said, looking down at PJ, who by then had sprawled out on the floor in a very relaxed manner.