Texas DPS K-9 Unit Assists Border Patrol in Tracking Operation Through Dimmit County Private Ranch
DIMMIT COUNTY, Texas — A Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) K-9 unit successfully executed a long-distance tracking operation on January 31, 2026, aiding U.S. Border Patrol agents in locating individuals attempting to evade detection on private property.
The operation, which took place in Dimmit County, involved TxDPS K-9 “Bona.” According to reports from the department’s South Texas region, the canine handler team tracked the subjects for over a mile through the brush of a private ranch. The pursuit concluded with the K-9 unit locating the individuals, facilitating their apprehension by federal agents. The incident highlights the continued heavy reliance on canine units to navigate the dense, thorny terrain that characterizes the region’s ranchlands, where aerial surveillance and vehicle patrols often face visibility limitations.
Background on Regional Operations
Dimmit County, while not located directly on the international boundary, serves as a critical transit corridor for smuggling operations moving north from the Rio Grande. As part of ongoing border security initiatives, including the state-led Operation Lone Star, Texas DPS has significantly increased its presence in these secondary counties to support U.S. Border Patrol. This strategy often involves the deployment of specialized tactical marine units, air assets, and K-9 teams like Bona to intercept groups that have bypassed initial river checkpoints. The integration of state police into immigration enforcement—a role traditionally held exclusively by the federal government—has been a defining feature of Texas border policy in recent years.
Operational Challenges and Criticism
While law enforcement officials tout these apprehensions as vital for securing private property and interdicting illicit activity, the expanded role of state police in border enforcement continues to draw sharp criticism. Civil rights organizations and humanitarian groups have raised objections regarding the use of police dogs to track and apprehend migrants, citing the potential for severe physical injury and the trauma inflicted on asylum seekers. Critics also argue that the deployment of substantial state resources on private ranchlands raises complex legal questions regarding jurisdiction and the militarization of local communities. Furthermore, opponents of these operations frequently point to the high financial cost to Texas taxpayers, questioning whether the interception of migrants in remote brushland effectively addresses the root causes of migration or merely shifts the routes into more dangerous terrain.
