Braverhund! Good dog! K9 Visco is the UK's top police dog with 142 arrests in 2012. The German Shepherd averaged an arrest every three days and is multi-talented. Not only has this hund appended violent criminals but he also tracked down a missing girl.
"I have an exceptional bond with Visco," said PC Matt Holding, of the Staffordshire Police, and Visco's handler since 2009. ‘We depend on each other. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we know our limits. But he can be frustrating sometimes. A dog’s mental capacity is a bit like that of an 18-month-old baby, it constantly wants attention. He just wants to work all the time. But he is one of the family."
The five-year-old wunderhund, along with Holding, was awarded a Divisional Award in November 2012 for their outstanding work. In 2009, Visco was attacked at an English Defence League march but was still able to detain his attacker.
"Visco was kicked and punched in the process but luckily he wasn't injured seriously and was able to detain the offender who was then arrested and convicted for violent disorder," recalled Holder. "I think he was given two-and-a-half years in the end and the judge commended mine and Visco's bravery. I think that has been the biggest demand on the pair of us just because of the sheer volatility of the people involved."
Holding rewards Visco for a job well done with a ball and an occasional snack. The dog relates to his job as play and obviously plays well. Visco's talents have also earned him an advanced license for his obedience skills.
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