New Dog Learns Old Tricks

Four months ago, Rudy, an Oxnard police dog, died from a stab wound after subduing a knife-wielding fugitive.

The dog’s death resonated across the community. Hundreds of people attended his memorial service. Schoolchildren scribbled letters of condolence. Phone calls poured in from dog lovers.

Steve Thomas felt a need to do more.

A longtime supporter of law enforcement, Thomas, who owns a BMW dealership in Camarillo, offered to give the department $8,500 to replace Rudy.

“He just came to us and said, ‘I want to buy you a new dog,’ ” said Senior Officer Steve Kawaguchi, coordinator of the Oxnard Police Department K-9 Unit. “Without hesitation, he cut us a check.”

Last month, a male 3-year-old Belgian Malinois purchased with Thomas’ money began work on the streets of Oxnard, after earning certification in patrol work and narcotics detection.

Officers named him Beemer in recognition of the luxury car seller’s gift.

“He’s a tough dog,” said Officer J.R. Perez, Beemer’s handler. “He’s going to be a good street dog.”

The department’s K-9 Unit was formed in 1980 and now has six officers and six dogs. Each pair works four 10-hour shifts a week.

Authorities say the dogs, which live with their handlers, play a vital role by sniffing out drugs and helping apprehend suspects, often in situations that would require numerous human officers.

The animals, kept in top physical shape, are fed once a day after their shifts and rewarded with play--not biscuits.

“These dogs are like pro athletes,” Perez said. “They love to work.”

Beemer, 78 pounds of taut muscle and quivering energy, showed his eagerness for the job during a recent training session. Crouched beside Perez, the dog whined like an engine and fixed his eyes on a Dodge van used by officers to practice vehicle searches.

“Auto!” Perez yelled. On command, Beemer exploded from his stance and leaped into the van through an open door. The dog quickly located an officer disguised as a suspect. Perez shouted a command in French--one of three languages Beemer responds to--and the dog returned to his side.

It is a bittersweet pose for Perez, who was Rudy’s partner. On April 19, Perez and Rudy were on patrol when officers were advised to be on the lookout for Timothy Knight, 20, of Oxnard, who was wanted on a felony warrant.

According to court testimony, Knight had run from police during a traffic stop earlier that day and was last seen with a woman in a red sport utility vehicle.

When Perez pulled over a vehicle matching the description, Knight got out, allegedly brandished a knife and ran. Perez testified that he drew his gun and ordered Rudy to apprehend the suspect.

As the dog lunged, Knight allegedly thrust the knife into Rudy’s chest. The dog was rushed to a veterinary hospital but could not be saved.

At a preliminary hearing in June, Knight’s lawyer questioned whether the dog could have jumped onto the knife. But Perez said that given the location of the wound, it was not possible.

Knight is awaiting trial on charges of harming a police dog, resisting arrest, brandishing a weapon at a police officer and violating probation. He remains in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $510,000 bail and faces up to six years and eight months in state prison if convicted.

Rudy was the first Oxnard police dog to die in the line of duty. Pictures of him fill Perez’s home.

“There are reminders all the time,” he said. “I think of him pretty much daily.”

After Rudy’s death, Perez was uncertain whether he wanted to continue his assignment. But when the initial shock wore off, he decided to take on a new partner.

Two weeks after the incident, Rodney Spicer, who trains dogs for the department, flew to Belgium to find a replacement. It was no easy task.

An ideal police dog requires a blend of athleticism, courage, and hunting and social skills, Spicer said. He looked at 50 dogs before finding Beemer at a private home near the French border.

“It’s very hard to find the good dogs,” Spicer said. “You’re looking for Michael Jordan.”

Thomas downplayed his donation, which covered the price of the dog, transport and training costs.

“I felt really bad,” Thomas said. “We hate to lose any kind of animal, but especially police dogs. They are so valuable.”

In addition to Thomas’ gift, Oxnard’s K-9 Unit has received other donations since the incident.

Camarillo investment manager Kevin Bernzott purchased two bulletproof vests for the dogs and has offered to buy three more, Kawaguchi said.

A local dog obedience club raised $2,000 for the unit, and a second club bought a vest for Beemer.

Because the Kevlar vests are heavy, the dogs probably will not wear them on patrol. But Kawaguchi said they could be valuable in SWAT situations and building searches.

“These dogs, they put their lives on the line for us,” Kawaguchi said. “We owe it to them to give them as much protection as you can--just as you would a regular police officer.”