Charlotte County K9, handler recognized for life-saving finds

This dynamic duo with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is being recognized as masters of their trade.

Deputy First Class Steven Sella and K9 Copper are the go-tos if you go missing in Charlotte County.

“K9 Copper, I’ve had him for a year and three months now,” Sella said. “This is like my kid.”

In those 15 months, the pair has saved numerous lives with their tracking skills. Sella said it doesn’t take much to teach Copper the tricks of the trade.

“So a dog’s ability to smell odors is a natural thing to track it,” Sella said. “That’s a natural thing when they’re born.”