(Oct. 13, 2016) Large, hyperactive dogs are not the normal sight during mayor and council meetings in Berlin, but then again it’s not every day the town police force welcomes a new member.
On Monday evening, the mayor and council were introduced to Cyrus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, which resembles a German shepherd.
“Anybody got any drugs?” Pfc. Aaron Titerence asked, walking the dog up to the front of the room.
Titerence said the dog would help the Berlin Police Department in drug enforcement and tracking efforts.
“He’s still very hyper, but the breed of dog that he is makes it just that much better as a drug dog,” Titerence said.
Police Chief Arnold Downing joked that police had only just obtained the dog’s passport and found out “his true age.” He added that dog was French, and Titerence noted that Cyrus was “trained in Dutch,” meaning he, as his handler, had to learn certain commands in that language.
Downing said the dog’s life expectancy was 10-12 years, and that typical service was seven-to-eight years. Along with his day job on the force, Downing said Cyrus would also help with police demonstrations.
“We’re really proud of Arron,” Downing said. “He has just completed his second year with the Berlin Police Department and as with a lot of the members of the agency – we’re talking about 11 out of 12 – all are specialized in some other things.
“We’re very proud of him taking initiative when the opportunity came, and we’re definitely proud of the team itself graduating,” Downing added, referring to the four weeks of training Titerence and Cyrus recently underwent at a Wicomico County facility.
The dog will stay with Titerence, who said he already had “another shepherd” at his home.
“They get along [well], love playing and he is crazy for balls. Any kind of ball, when you throw it he will go right after it,” he said.
“So Cyrus is not as rambunctious as Pfc. Titerence?” Mayor Gee Williams asked.
“That is correct,” Downing said.
On Monday evening, the mayor and council were introduced to Cyrus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, which resembles a German shepherd.
“Anybody got any drugs?” Pfc. Aaron Titerence asked, walking the dog up to the front of the room.
Titerence said the dog would help the Berlin Police Department in drug enforcement and tracking efforts.
“He’s still very hyper, but the breed of dog that he is makes it just that much better as a drug dog,” Titerence said.
Police Chief Arnold Downing joked that police had only just obtained the dog’s passport and found out “his true age.” He added that dog was French, and Titerence noted that Cyrus was “trained in Dutch,” meaning he, as his handler, had to learn certain commands in that language.
Downing said the dog’s life expectancy was 10-12 years, and that typical service was seven-to-eight years. Along with his day job on the force, Downing said Cyrus would also help with police demonstrations.
“We’re really proud of Arron,” Downing said. “He has just completed his second year with the Berlin Police Department and as with a lot of the members of the agency – we’re talking about 11 out of 12 – all are specialized in some other things.
“We’re very proud of him taking initiative when the opportunity came, and we’re definitely proud of the team itself graduating,” Downing added, referring to the four weeks of training Titerence and Cyrus recently underwent at a Wicomico County facility.
The dog will stay with Titerence, who said he already had “another shepherd” at his home.
“They get along [well], love playing and he is crazy for balls. Any kind of ball, when you throw it he will go right after it,” he said.
“So Cyrus is not as rambunctious as Pfc. Titerence?” Mayor Gee Williams asked.
“That is correct,” Downing said.