NEW POLICE DOG EXCELS

When Greif was hit by a car while chasing a drug suspect in March 1994, the dog wasn't the only one to suffer.

His handler, Patrolman Dennis Horn of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, had worked with Greif for more than four years, catching the bad guys. That dog was family to Horn.

Today, Greif lives in the lap of luxury at the Horn residence, slowed just a little by a missing leg. He has a new friend these days, too, in Cape Girardeau's new drug-detecting dog.

Jupp came to work in Cape Girardeau with Horn in October. After a tense few weeks, the two became good partners.

"To be honest, I think Jupp is going to be better than Greif," Horn said. "He seems to search a lot better. He has a really good nose and he sticks with things."

At age 2, Jupp has a long career ahead of him. Most dogs work in the field for six to eight years before retiring, and Horn said he intended to be a canine officer for years to come.

The duo isn't too busy these days and generally work a regular shift. Jupp's only busts have been two small amounts of marijuana.

"We did a lot of work with the other departments with Greif," Horn said. "Everyone has their own dogs now. There are six or seven just in Southeast Missouri."