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The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service canine team of "Strike" and his handler Constable Mike Stratford graduated in December 2004 in Niagara Falls having obtained above standard in canine training in many areas for safe and effective deployment. They commenced their duties in January 2005. Training is constant and the team must recertify every six months.

The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service is very proud of the work its canine team does and they are appreciated as a valuable resource to the police service.

Police Service Dog "Strike" is the second canine in the history of this police service. Both canines were purchased by the Victoria County Kennel Club and donated to the police service. Food is supplied by the Horse and Hound (Victoria Feeds) based in Lindsay. Veterinary Care is provided by Kawartha Animal Hospital in Lindsay. The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service is grateful to our sponsors. Without their donations, time and effort the program would not be sustainable.

Since January 2005 the canine team has been instrumental while assisting in the seizure of over One Million dollars worth of illegal narcotics from off our streets. Police Service Dog "Strike" is a General Patrol Duty Canine, trained in tracking, evidence detection, suspect apprehension, handler protection, search and rescue as well as narcotics detection. The team has been called upon to other police agencies in executing drug warrants, search and rescue and tracking. The unit has trained and worked in both Canada and the United States on narcotics and anti-terrorism projects.

The canine team has been very successful in many areas of deployment which has contributed to making the City of Kawartha Lakes a safer place to live, work and play.