Belgian shepherd puppy makes history as first K9 to join Estonian Central Criminal Police force
The Central Criminal Police in Estonia recently welcomed to its ranks its first ever K9 service dog, two-month-old Belgian shepherd puppy Välk, whose name means "Lightning" in Estonian. Before beginning work, however, the puppy will first have to undergo approximately two years of job training.
The newest member of the Estonian Central Criminal Police's K-Commando special unit is two-month-old Välk. The puppy, currently under the personal mentorship of a dog handler, is the Central Criminal Police's first very own K9 member, the police reported on their Facebook page (link in Estonian).
If all goes according to plan, the Finnish native Belgian shepherd will begin work in approximately two years, when his duties will begin to include tracking, searching for illegal substances as well as catching criminals.
Välk is not the first in his family to join the police, however; his father serves in a patrol in the Police and Border Guard Board's (PPA) East Prefecture.
In addition to Välk, members of the special unit are aided daily by two other service dogs.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik
