The Hagen police force has a new addition to its ranks: a little Malinois dog. Akela, as the puppy is called, was handed over to service dog handler Tina Walter on February 9th. The four-legged reinforcement comes from the state's own police kennel and was called "Pims von den Sennequellen" before she moved in with the police superintendent. Akela was born on December 13, 2020 in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock. She is set to follow in the footsteps of service dog Fridolin, who was trained as a guard and sniffer dog and is currently on duty with Tina Walter.
The Malinois male and the now almost 10-week-old female will be training together with the 40-year-old police superintendent over the coming weeks and months. When Fridolin goes into well-deserved retirement in around two years' time, Akela will be fully trained. Like her great role model, she will be out and about in Hagen as a guard and sniffer dog and will be on duty with Tina Walter. Fridolin, who is currently six years old, will continue to live with the policewoman after his retirement.