Bismarck`s Newest Officer | Video

Retha Colclasure | 12/4/2012

Police departments across the country have been using dogs as valuable tools to fight crime for decades. Bismarck has had several dogs throughout the years and the newest one is almost ready to hit the streets. Luna is a two year old Dutch Shepherd, and will work with officer Chad Fetzer.

"It`s really fun having the dog with you. She always wants to work, loves coming to work, loves doing anything to get her out of the car," Fetzer said.

Luna is a hard worker, but also has a few needs of her own.

"It`s 12 hours a day of a dog whining, barking, she`s gotta go to the bathroom, it`s a lot harder than it looks. You also have a partner you gotta look out for. She`s gonna look out for you, you gotta look out for her," Fetzer said.

Luna had been through several months of training before taking a break to play with and get to know her new partner.

"You gain her trust, respect from her, when you start the training she knows you, so you`re not telling her what to do and all of a sudden some person she`s never met before is telling her to sit or lay down and she doesn`t know you, doesn`t trust you. Once you gain that trust, they`ll do anything for you," Fetzer said.

Now, they`re finishing their final training together before hitting the road by the end of the month.

Luna will be doing a lot of drug work. She`s also a tracking dog. Officer Fetzer says when she`s at work, she loves to work and when she`s at home, she settles into the role of a house pet.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY