It’s time for San Diego County to chime in on those bragging rights. Word out on the streets is all about a Nero, a police K-9, for the Oceanside Police Department.
Nero and his K9 handler, Oceanside Police Officer James Smith, took home the Top Dog Award at the 17th Annual Riverside Canine Trials. The competition took place in Palm Springs.
They earned high marks in all parts of the trial which consisted of protection, obedience, and building and vehicle search phases.
The duo did so well they garnered attention from The Coast News with a feature article.
This was Smith’s and Nero’s first time competing at a trial. Smith said he is very proud of his 3-year-old Belgian Malinois.
During the weekend long competition, though, Smith added the phase which left the most indelible imprint was the protection segment also referred to as agitation.
After his dog let go of a suspect, Smith called out to him for help at 50 yards away when another decoy came out of a blind simulating an attack on Smith.
“Nero came going at Mach 3,” said Smith, adding how the decoy’s legs flew from underneath and was airborne when his dog hit the decoy. “Nero was protecting me.”
San Diegans send big kudos to both Nero and Smith for doing such an amazing job at the trial.
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