NEW BERLIN, WI (June 8, 2015) – Sportsman Channel’s Saving Private K-9 reports for duty in the season finale with a special two-episode event. Explosions, bravery, camaraderie and strength outline the intense episodes featuring two K-9 heroes and their handlers, whose mission is to protect and serve. Tune in to the award-winning original series Saving Private K-9 on Thursday, June 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on Sportsman Channel.
When the Taliban began to retreat from Sangin, one of the most dangerous cities in Afghanistan, they left behind hidden explosives, in hopes of stinting U.S. troop numbers. Marine Cpl. Jose Armenta and his K-9 partner Zenit are called to ensure the safety of their fellow soldiers while setting up a patrol base in the area. The brave team discovers and eliminates multiple IEDs on their mission. But danger continues to lurk in all corners of the city, making the discovery of every threat nearly impossible – a fact the team would soon learn when Cpl. Armenta steps on an IED.
“I take one step, and my ears just ring and everything goes slowly,” recalls Cpl. Armenta. “My body is stiff as a board and I feel like I’m on fire. At that moment I knew instantly I had stepped on an IED.”
The danger and bravery continues in Episode Two when a routine traffic stop turns into a high-speed pursuit, as a suspected car thief evades law enforcement. Officer Randy Van Dusen releases K-9 Bodie, a patrol and narcotics detection dog, to engage the suspect. Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspect is carrying a stolen gun. Moments later, Bodie finds himself in the most dangerous fight of his life – a fight that would showcase just how strong the bond between a K-9 and handler can be.
“The bond between a handler and his K-9 partner is one that’s difficult to explain. We are with these dogs 24/7. They are our partner at work, our friend at home and they love us no matter what,” said Officer Van Dusen. “They are with us in very stressful situations. We are always together as a team. He is part of the family, and you never leave family behind.”
About Pilgrim Studios: Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Studios produces a wide variety of unscripted and scripted programming for television, including hit series Fast N’ Loud, Misfit Garage and Street Outlaws for Discovery; Ghost Hunters for Syfy; The Ultimate Fighter for FOX Sports 1; Down East Dickering for History; Swamp Pawn for CMT; Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s and Raising Whitley for OWN; David Tutera’s CELEBrations for WEtv; Wicked Tuna and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South for National Geographic Channel; Amazing America with Sarah Palin and Saving Private K-9 for Sportsman Channel; Bring It! for Lifetime; Somebody’s Gotta Do It with Mike Rowe for CNN; and the recently launched My Big Fat Fabulous Life for TLC. The company also produced the breakout movie Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives for Discovery’s 2013 Shark Week, as well as the movie Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine and the special Megalodon: The New Evidence for the channel’s Shark Week 2014. In the scripted realm, Pilgrim has produced the pilot Recovery Road ABC Family, recently picked up for a full season. The company’s original movies for Lifetime include Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy; Abducted: The Carlina White Story, which earned a 2012 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing In A Motion Picture; and the crime thriller Stalkers.
About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel/Sportsman HD is a television and digital media company fully devoted to honoring a lifestyle that is celebrated by millions of Americans. A division of Outdoor Sportsman Group, Sportsman Channel delivers entertaining and informative programming that showcases outdoor adventure, hunting and fishing, and illustrates it through unique and authentic storytelling. Sportsman Channel embraces the attitude of “Red, Wild & Blue America” – where the American Spirit and Great Outdoors are celebrated in equal measure. Sportsman Channel reaches more than 36 million U.S. television households. Stay connected to Sportsman Channel online at thesportsmanchannel.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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Shannon Kolpin, Sportsman Channel, P: 262.432.9100 ex 102, skolpin@thesportsmanchannel.com
On Dec. 26, 2014, Brian “Pigman” Quaca nearly died in a horrific automobile accident on a snowy road in Colorado. The violent crash left Quaca critically injured, with devastating injuries that included 11 skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, cracked ribs and blood in his lungs. In this two-part episode, Pigman and his dad, Dap, go into great detail about the circumstances surrounding the accident, Quaca’s fight for his life and the numerous obstacles he has overcome – including severe nerve damage and significant vision loss.
Episode One takes viewers on a dangerous and highly-charged patrol to apprehend a suspected drug dealer. Shadow, a Dutch Shepherd trained as a narcotics detection dog, is on the case. Shadow’s handler, Officer Mark Rand of the Indianapolis Police Department, witnesses the fierce dog engage the suspect. The process, a seemingly routine procedure and apprehension, suddenly went wrong when the suspect began hurtling down a dangerously steep hill, Shadow in tow. Officer Rand knows his K-9 teammate was tough, but training back at the station couldn’t prepare the dog for a potentially lethal fall.
Talk about a cliffhanger!
“As an experienced producer and avid hunting and fishing enthusiast who is well known and respected in the outdoor industry, Mitch will make an immediate contribution to Sportsman Channel’s aggressive drive to become one of America’s favorite lifestyle networks,” said Wayne. “He brings a wealth of experience in production and programming, client services, business development and advertising sales. I know he will be a tremendous asset to our team.”
Officer Rodriguez and Reiko know if the perpetrator of a serious crime is still on the run, all they can do is prepare for the unexpected. With the help of a team of officers, the suspect is discovered and has no way to escape. But the criminal’s noncompliance to surrender meant Reiko must be deployed. Reiko approaches the armed fugitive, successfully engaging him. What Reiko did not expect, was a suspect with a gun. Shots are fired, a battle for survival ensues, and the unbreakable bond between K-9 and handler is tested.
North American River Otters know the ropes of underwater hunting. With webbed feet, streamlined bodies, and ability to hold their breath for up to eight minutes, they are highly-successful predators. Warren does not share any physical traits with the animal, so he must train to adapt. The host meets with experts to learn the ways of the otter and how to best conserve energy as an underwater hunter. He then puts his newfound knowledge to the test, on a journey below sea level to spear an amberjack off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
After two deployments, Drak and Sgt. Fischer knew it was possible to get through almost any challenging situation while on deployment together. The team was presented with their next mission to one of the most dangerous cities in Afghanistan, but Sgt. Fischer was hopeful he and his loyal canine partner would be successful. Once the duo entered Sangin, all began as planned and the locals welcomed them to the area. But in a dangerous turn of events, a suicide bomber drove through camp. What happened next would test their bond and ability to overcome adversity like never before.
Officer Nading and his K-9 partner, Reno, were known as an unstoppable team. This week, viewers witness the strength of their bond. When the duo responds to a call to assist in the apprehension of a suspect on the run, the chase leads them to a densely wooded area. Police officers lose sight of the suspect and Reno is deployed to find him. But when Reno alerts Nading to the suspect’s location, all he can see is a gun – pointed directly at him. Reno lunges forward in an attempt to disarm the newly discovered suspect, and in doing so, begins a grueling battle for survival.