CRESCENT CITY K-9 UNIT: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

 Crescent City, CA- Crescent City Police welcomed a new dog to their K-9 unit. His name is Ares, a four-year-old German Shepard; he hit the streets this fall.
 
The bond between the officer and k-9 is what makes this unit successful. This is Ares and Apollo, like a member of the family both K-9’s live with their handlers. Officer Votrube said, "I have a two year old grandson, best friend. They love it… he’s got a good kennel at home that I custom built myself for him. So he is very well taken care of."   
 
Both German Shepard’s are extremely intelligent, they can sense when it’s time to suit up and hit the streets. Officer Votruba said, "He knows when I walk out the front door and I open up the side door, he's already barking at his kennel because he knows its time to go to work."
 
Both K-9’s are from Germany and trained in the German language. Officer Votruba added, "The German dialect that is used is an older German dialect its not commonly used by Germans today… Most people out on the streets won't understand what you’re giving them. But the dog fully well understands and they respond very well to it.”
 
If in distress, officers have a button on their belt that when pressed the car door opens releasing the K-9. Officer Votruba said, "If I pull up on a scene and I encounter a subject that becomes hostile and tries to hurt me in anyway I can hit the button and his side door will pop open and all I have to do is call his name and he will come to my rescue."
 
Both Apollo and Ares ride along in personalized vehicles equipped with dog treats and special chew toys.