Police bring a new canine aboard

Former canine, Max, euthanized because he became less effective

Courtesy of Petaluma Police Dept. Kilo, a 15-month-old Belgian Malanois, begins serving as a Petaluma police canine July 5. Zoom Photo

The Petaluma Police Department will add a new staff member on Saturday, July 5 who has a penchant for chewing on bones.

Kilo, a 15-month-old Belgian Malanois, will begin serving as a police canine, and, like current police dog Rico, will be doing everything from assisting at crime scenes to performing in skills competitions and school assemblies.

“Officer Jason Jucatan will be his handler,” said Sgt. Tim Lyons. “They’ve spent the past six weeks training in Southern California, becoming familiar with each other.

“I’ve seen Kilo only once — he’s a friendly dog, and is adapting well to his new job and training.”

Kilo will replace Max, an 80-pound Belgian Malanois, who was euthanized this year after a distinguished career in the department. He wasn’t euthanized because of bad behavior or his conduct during any particular incident, Lyons said.

“Max was no longer as effective, and didn’t meet the standards we need,” Lyons said. “Euthanization is our very last choice. We tried to return him to the people we purchased him from, but they didn’t want him.”

Max was 7 years old, and police dogs normally serve for five to seven years, he added.

Max was born in Southern California and raised by a Los Angeles police officer. The Petaluma Police Department purchased him in September 2003, and he was then teamed with his handler, Officer Rick Cox.

Together they completed a 200-hour, basic-handler course, and began serving the department in 2003. They protected other officers in their work, and searched for hidden suspects and evidence, among other things.

They completed a 200-hour narcotic-detection course in October 2004, enabling Max to detect the odor of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

Losing Max has been tough on the entire department, but especially on Rick,” Lyons said.

“Each of our dogs lives at his handler’s house, and becomes like a family member,” Lyons said.

Cox has switched out of the department’s canine program, and Lyons feels that starting with a new dog will be easier for Jucatan.

“The transition of a dog to a new handler can be difficult,” Lyons said.

Belgian Malanois is a popular breed for police work.

“These dogs have high motivation, they’re agile and they don’t have the hip problems that German Shepherds have,” Lyons said.

(Contact Dan Johnson at dan.johnson@arguscourier.com)