We agree that it's time to let the dogs off their leash. The canine unit won national honors in the U.S. Police Canine Association's trials last year and deserves recognition. An overly cautious reaction from the city would have only raised unfounded suspicions and sent a mixed message to the police force.

The Animal Planet special is actually a good opportunity to demystify one piece of police work and let viewers see the training and performance of police dogs close up. After three years of strained police-community relations, part of the healing that needs to occur in this city is citizens being given more exposure to police training and philosophy, not less.

Police also need the opportunity to show the dangers and difficulties inherent in their jobs. The bungled Cops incident last year, when some City Council members objected to Cincinnati police officers being featured on the Fox TV show, was a case of excessive caution and image-consciousness winning out over openness and exposure. Animal Planet may show the world - and, most importantly, Cincinnati itself - a little more of how law enforcement units do their job and why.

And then there is simply the issue of the dogs and their handlers earning the right to be recognized. The canine unit performs some of the riskiest work on the force. The dogs go where no one wants to send a human being, searching for suspects in thick brush or woods and often being the first reactors to a suspect.

The chance to share their success nationally may be a rare but important opportunity for our city to watch, review and better understand the police actions and decisions that are made here every day.