A new arson K-9, with a keen sense of smell, has joined the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District investigation team family.
The furry investigator dubbed Ginnie is a 2.5-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, whose handler is Assistant Fire Marshal Brian Headley.
The duo recently returned from a four-week training program on the East Coast, where they underwent 200 hours of training led by the highly accredited Paul Gallagher, the owner and head trainer of Maine Specialty Dogs.
In April 2021, SBC Fire launched its first Arson Canine program in over 20 years. A month later, Fire Investigator Shawn Reiss and Dinty, a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever, began a timeline of over 50 fire investigations and assisted several outside agencies.
Ginnie and Dinty are currently the only arson canines in the county and two of six teams state-wide.