See Ruger bite, Richmond’s canine cops in action
on October 1, 2014
Ronin pounced first, snapping his powerful canine jaws into Officer Mike Brown. Ruger came next, leaping into Brown, knocking the man down with a single strike.
The crowd of mostly parents and children was riveted.
Brown, a Richmond police officer, was okay, thanks to his training and protective suit.
The fierce demonstration came thanks to the Richmond Police Department Canine Unit, which put its prowess on display for a session at the North & East Neighborhood annual picnic in Wendell Park on Saturday.
Officers Mike Vallerga and Kristian Palma unleashed their canine partners, and Brown played the unenviable role of a chew toy.
The audience was separated from the demonstration by police tape, and only Ronin, the better socialized dog, was allowed to interact with the kids.
More than 50 community members came out and asked the officers a variety of questions. The kids were interested in how high canines can jump, whether they bite their handlers and how they sleep. The adults were more interested in where the dogs come from, how they’re deployed in a search and how officers involved in fights summon their dogs.
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Saw the demo at Wendell Park. Kudos to our brave officers and their brave canines for keeping Richmond residents safe!