It Takes Two to Tango
Deputy Rivas and K9 Tango's Tail
The vibration of my phone on the headboard followed by the blaring of “Ecstasy of Gold” (think “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”) startles me awake. I roll over to read the clock which reads 9:30, just a little over three hours since I went to bed. On the phone is Harbor Comm, I’m being called out to assist in apprehending a suspect who fled from officers after a vehicle pursuit. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and quickly get dressed. I head to the garage and open the door. As I head down the stairs I hear Tango jump to attention in his kennel. Once he sees me he begins his excited “Mal” spin. I roll up the garage door and open the back door to the patrol car. Tango gets the “load up” command and bolts from the kennel into the back seat. Tail wagging and thumping against the side of the door, we head out to the call. As a new team this is what we signed up for; the opportunity to make the community a safer place by tracking down fleeing and hiding criminals.
Tango, a three and a half year old Belgian Malinois, and I were brought together after our office received a generous donation from Our Community Credit Union. Once I was selected as our department’s second handler, my sergeant, a local master trainer and I made the 18 hour drive down to Banning California where Vohne Leich Kennels West was located. It was there Tango and a handful of other dogs were put through a variety of tests designed to assess the dogs’ drives, abilities, and compatibility. Tango was found to be the best of the group and selected as Grays Harbor County’s newest deputy. Tango and I then spent the next several months completing the state’s required 400 hours of training before we were certified to work the road.
Tango, who was born in the Netherlands, is an extremely energetic and high energy dog. What he lacks in size at only 52 lbs, he makes up for in speed and determination. Unlike most dogs, there is no quit or off switch in him. And if you think your dog at home has ball drive, Tango will redefine that term for you. Like most working dogs he aims to please and is restless when there is no task for him to complete.
As we arrive on scene of the vehicle pursuit Tango’s tail is still drumming against the door eager to get out and go to work. I pop the hatch to retrieve his harness and lead. The tail wag turns to an anxious and what looks like an uncontrollable spin. I placed his tracking harness on and we head to the last spot where the suspect was seen. I put Tango in a down position as I shout my K9 warnings. Tango is quiet with laser focus. After a brief pause…I give him the search command and he pulls forward digging in with all four paws. We head out into the brush in search of the suspect and the capture. It’s all a game to him but real to me as we head out, not knowing who or what is hiding just around the corner.
