Menu
Dog on duty: Sheriff’s Department adds K9 officer
NEW MADRID, Mo. - The black Belgian Malinois sits at Elizabeth’s feet as she colors. When the 3-year-old sighs, the dog looks up keeping a close eye on her and gives her foot a nuzzle.
Then Tim Hise, a deputy with the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, calls to the dog. As his harness and collar are snapped in place, Fenrir knows it is time to go to work.
For the past six months, Hise and Fenrir have worked as a team for the Sheriff’s Department.
Hired by Sheriff Bud Cooper in December 2020, Hise said while working night shift, he and his partner discussed ideas on how they could be more pro-active in their jobs. Aware the Department’s K9 handler had left, Hise said they came up with the idea of applying for a grant to fund a new narcotics and tracking dog for the county.
The sheriff liked the idea and after more research, Hise learned the Department could receive a dog at no charge through Brian Dowdy with Dowdy Dogs.
According to Hise, after meeting Dowdy, he toured the kennels to pick a dog. Fenrir was the second dog he was introduced to.
Dowdy described the dog as one of his favorites and handed Hise a ball.
“When I first threw the ball the dog looked at me and he looked at the ball and he waited for it to land and get lost in the tall grass then he took off after it. As soon as he came back with it, he rolled over on his stomach and wanted to be praised. I started petting him and he started licking my face,” Hise recalled. “I really felt a strong connection to him.”
The name Fenrir comes from Norse mythology.
“Fenrir is Loki’s wolf son, that is this massive black wolf and he is very menacing,” Hise said. “When I first saw him he looked like a wolf and I drew the connection there.The first time I called him Fenrir, it seemed like we were on a first name basis.”
For two months, they trained together.
The training began with Fenrir learning to detect narcotics. The dog quickly learned to sniff out methamphetamine, Ecstasy and Xanax.
As the training advanced, Hise and Fenrir would spend mornings on narcotics detection. Afternoons would include searching for lost articles, tracking and apprehension.
“You practically train them for no failures. So that way when we come out on the street you are never second guessing the dog. It is impressive,” Hise said.
Earlier this year, Fenrir joined Hise on patrol.
Hise said already the dog has helped with tracking suspects in New Madrid County and neighboring counties.
When a non-compliant sex offender led law enforcement officers on a chase into New Madrid County. Fenrir tracked the suspect from his abandoned vehicle through several farm fields.
“That was through four different fields, four different smells and he stayed on track and he ended up pointing me in the direction where the suspect was,” Hise said. “Ultimately they found the suspect via drone but we were hot on his trail.”
Hise and his dog assisted Mississippi County officers as they searched for a suspect. Inside the house, a witness denied the man was still there but Fenrir indicated otherwise leading Hise down the hall, into a bedroom then indicating the suspect was in the attic. Seeing the dog below and officers outside, the suspect gave up.
“Yeah, he is super friendly dog until I tell him not to be and then his switch comes on,” Hise said. “If you ever find yourself on the other end I would suggest you surrender because It is not worth it.”
Serving as the Department’s dog handler is a 24/7 job. Fenrir works with Hise and at the end of the shift, the pair go home together.
Hise said when the harness and collar come off, Fenrir is like any other home dog. In addition to enjoying being loved on by Hise’s young daughter, Fenrir plays with the family’s Dutch Shepherd.
“This dog is super loving and affectionate,” Hise said. “Also he is very protective of me. It never fails now if my night shift partner comes up behind my car and I don’t see him immediately Fenrir is barking and muzzle punching the kennel trying to get to him before he can get to me. But, when he sees it is my partner, he immediately decompresses and sits down in the back seat. He has a good relationship with my partner.”
Hise also has introduced him to the other officers he works with and sought to familiarize them with how to care for Fenrir.
The officer said as part of the bonding process, he pays for all the food and the medical bills for the dog. Although the Sheriff’s Department has offered to pay the bills, Hise said this is his way of thanking the Department for offering him his job in law enforcement.
Asked who he would prefer as he rides on patrol, Hise laughed.
“My night shift partner knows for a fact that Fenrir is my favorite. In fact I think Fenrir is his favorite, too,” Hise said. “But who doesn’t want a dog for a best friend?”