Xander, a Dutch shepherd, is trained in search and drug detection.
DALTON, Mass. — The Police Department recently welcomed its newest addition to the force — K9 Xander.
The department was awarded an $8,000 grant from the Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog to cover the cost of the dog and his training.
The 20-month-old Dutch shepherd was acquire for approximately $1,000 from Shallow Creek Kennels, located in Sharpesville, Pa. Shallow Creek Kennels obtained Xander from a breeder in Budapest, Hungary.
After looking at around 15 dogs, Sgt. James Duryea settled on Xander because of his nature.
Many of the dogs that he saw were very driven but were very energetic, which could be difficult to control, he said.
Although Xander is also energetic, Duryea noticed while watching him complete drills that he was meticulous when searching and had a calm demeanor.
Using the remaining $7,000 of the grant funding, Xander and Duryea completed a 12-week basic K9 patrol school run by Berkshire County Sheriff's Office accredited Master Trainer Dwane Foisy.
Xander and Duryea are now certified in K9 patrol through the North American Police Work Dog Association and are members of Massachusetts Police Work Dog Association.
Xander is certified in patrol work; obedience, building search, article search, area search, tracking, felony apprehension and officer protection, Duryea said.
Although training for all the canines in the Berkshires is every Tuesday, fate had another idea on Tuesday, July 18, marking that day as Xander's first call.
Xander and Duryea had to miss training that day due to a separate program the department was doing.
While all the other canines were in New York training, Xander and Duryea were called to Becket to help track an individual with two warrants who fled into the woods after crashing his vehicle in a police chase.
Although they were unable to find the driver, they did successfully track down his likely last location.
After trudging through two swamps, Xander led searchers to a road where the fugitive likely called a ride and took off, Duryea said.
Xander is following in his predecessor's footsteps by specializing in narcotics detection. He is currently undergoing narcotics detection training to detect the odors of heroin, cocaine, meth and ecstasy.
The department decided to retire 11-year-old black German shepherd, Maximus ("Max"), when his health started to rapidly decline, Duryea said, with an eye to replacing him in time for the next training with Foisy.
Max had served on the force for nine years and was unable to jump into the cruiser like he once could because of his aged legs, Duryea said.
The department acquired Max in 2013 through a grant from the Stanton Foundation, which covered all the startup costs including the dog, canine cruiser, kennel, and other supplies.
Max will remain in the care of his handler, Duryea, who took over for his former handler Officer Matthew Mozzi, who left in 2017 for another position.
Max has been loving his retirement, Duryea said. He lounges with his DIF Kong toys on his orthopedic bed, donated by K9s of Valor of Canton, Ohio, and next to a fan to stay cool.
"He's loving it. He's just lounging out. He's doing pretty good. His old age is catching up with him pretty quickly but he is doing good," Duryea said.
Having a K9 within the department not only improves officer and community safety but also aids in community outreach, he said.
And, he said, just having a K9 on a call can help de-escalate a situation because an individual who would otherwise be aggressive and confrontational may back down upon hearing the dog bark.
Another advantage is that a K9 can be called back once deployed and cannot be used against the officer, unlike other gear that officers carry, he said.
People love the police canines and get excited whenever they see them, Duryea said.
"I typically do around a dozen or more canine demonstrations a year and I usually have a huge turnout," he said.
Unlike Max, Xander is a lot more personable, Duryea said. When residents approached Max he would growl but Xander welcomes the attention.
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Dalton Fire District Votes OK All Articles, Return Incumbents
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Fire Chief Christian Tobin explains the Fire Department budget at Tuesday's annual district meeting.
DALTON, Mass. — Voters approved all 22 articles on the warrant unanimously at the annual Fire District meeting on Tuesday night at the Stationery Factory.
Approximately 75 voters attended the meeting, which lasted a little more than a half hour, to vote on the proposed $3,524,680 budget for fiscal year 2025.
The Fire District and town are two separate governing bodies. The Fire and Water departments are the Fire District's responsibility. The Board of Water Commissioners and the Prudential Committee govern the district.
A number of the budget hikes are caused by increases outside the district's control, specifically insurance, Water Commission Chair James Driscoll said during the meeting.
Ambulance and fire proposed a combined budget of $1,873,608, up approximately $360,000. The department's increase is related to competitive wages and stipends, personnel, and building improvements, all of which aim to improve the district's Property Protection Classification.
In addition to that, just like the other department's in the district, insurance hikes contributed to the increases.
Article 9 raised $370,560 to pay the principal and interest on several district loans.
Voters approved all 22 articles on the warrant unanimously at the annual Fire District meeting on Tuesday night at the Stationery Factory.
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More than 800 residents cast their votes during Monday's town elections, resulting in Select Board incumbent Robert Bishop retaining his seat. click for more
The steps of City Hall were lined with 56 pairs of children's shoes on Friday, representing the average number of children with confirmed abuse and neglect cases each month in the county. The Children's Trust and Child Care of the Berkshires coordinate this shocking visual yearly.
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DPI held its annual meeting at the Berkshire Museum on Thursday, touting the 17 businesses welcomed to the downtown in 2023 and six so far this year.
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