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Dog. Man’s best friend. Unless, that is, the man has committed a crime that has a set highly trained canine choppers, assisted by a highly trained K-9 police officer, on his tail.
Residents of Lewes and friends of the Lewes Police Department on Thursday, Feb. 21, turned out in force for a benefit at Irish Eyes in Lewes where nearly $15,000 was raised for the department’s purchase of a new police dog.
The amount raised is nearly twice the $8,800 needed to purchase a trained, certified and warranted dog.
Lewes Police Officer Pfc. Brent Layfield and his K-9 partner Iwan patrolled the city until the dog’s unexpected death last September.
“We were on the road five years. It was a good five years, it was beautiful, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it,” said Layfield.
In April, Layfield will fly to Holland to pick up a new dog up, train with the animal for up to three weeks, and then return to Lewes with it.
“He’ll be trained, I’ll be trained and we’ll be trained as a team. The dog is going to be patrol certified and narcotics certified. The training in Holland will exceed any training we’d get in this country.
“I’m training with people who have been doing it for over 30 years and have trained Dutch National Police and Dutch S.W.A.T. The company is The K-9 Center – High Security Holland. They train dogs for the king and queen’s security and for executive security. I’m excited, I’m nervous and I’m ready,” said Layfield.
As a patrol certified dog, the animal is capable of tracking, area and building searches, article and evidence searches and apprehension – sometimes the literal bite out of crime.
The dog is also trained to sniff out marijuana, crack and powder cocaine, heroin, and a variety of drugs that commonly contain methamphetamines.
“We ask a lot of these dogs, and it’s not easy. But they’re very well rounded,” said Layfield.
Layfield said he and Lewes Police Chief Ronald “Beau” Gooch talked about what breed would be best to obtain. Layfield said they decided to accept the dog that best suits the city’s needs.
“I’d prefer to get a Belgian Malinois, like my old dog, Iwan. But if they have a shepherd, I’ll take that. If they have a Dutch shepherd, I’ll take that. If they have a Hungarian shepherd, I’ll take that. I’ll take the best one they have for me at the time,” Layfield said.
He said Dutch trainers have more than 20 certified dogs that are prepared to work. "When I get there these dogs are ready to rock-and-roll. The trainers are testing and scoring them, then we’re going to recommend one that’s best for us,” Layfield said.
The dogs are trained to respond to commands given in Dutch, which means that Layfield, too, will have to speak Dutch fluently enough for the dog to comprehend.
“I learned most of the Dutch commands when I had Ivan because he came from the Netherlands as well. I might have to learn a few new words, but it’s relatively easy to do,” he said.
As for names for the new dog, Layfield said he hasn’t selected one because usually the animals have already been given names as part of their extensive training.
“Whatever the dog’s name is when I get there, I’ll leave it at that. I’m not picky. I Lewes
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don’t care if the dog’s name is Bubbles. As long as it works and does its job, Bubbles can come stay in the City of Lewes,” Layfield said.
Lewes resident Albert Frank was one of many who turned out to supporting the benefit at Irish Eyes. Frank examined a variety of items donated for the silent auction, which included everything from a Coors Light plastic replica of a NASCAR racecar hood, to dinners for four at local restaurants. Frank, a jeweler, donated a handcrafted sterling silver horseshoe crab for the silent auction.
“I thought the K-9 program was a good program for the City of Lewes. I think it helps the cops at night when they’re walking around by themselves checking on things. We could use a dog around here to sniff things out. You just never know what’s around town,” said Frank.
Contact Henry Evans at hevans@capegazette.com
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