Dogs take center stage at K-9’s in the Park event

The Glendale Police Department showcased the four-legged stars of its force during the K-9s in the Park event on Saturday.

The seventh annual event, hosted by the department and the Glendale Police Foundation, took place at Verdugo Park, across from the 11th annual “Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash,” which made for a lively, actively-filled day in the park.

PHOTOS: Glendale Police Department hosts 11th annual K-9’s in the Park

“We have such a good community here in Glendale,” said Officer Maribel Feeley, one of the department’s K-9 handlers. “This is proof of it with the hundreds of people that show up here.”

The event featured several pet-related booths, from low-cost vaccinations to pet adoptions, but the highlight was a series of demonstrations showcasing the athleticism and discipline of the department’s K-9s, Branko, Idol and Jager.

Feeley, who works with one of the larger dogs, Jager, said the training is constant, for both the dog and its handler.

“People see the dogs and you’ll hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I want one,’” Feeley said. “I stop and tell them, ‘Do you understand what it takes for this dog to be at this level?’ I have a dog at home and he’s nowhere near as obedient as my police dog is.”

The trio of German Shepherds, who can grow to be around 100 pounds, followed their police handlers closely, attentive to their every command and hand signal. Police highlighted the discipline of their dogs by having them walk slowly by suspects, played by fellow officers in “bite suits,” or bark at them aggressively without biting. But when prompted to do so — either by command or an act of aggression — K-9s also showed their aggressive side by lunging at and biting down on suspects.

“That’s such a hard thing to do because they’re in full prey mode and you tell them they can’t have it,” Feeley said. “That’s why the training is so important.”

Feeley said because residents were allowed to bring their own dogs, it created a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for police to make a meaningful connection with the community.

“It’s so good for the outreach and the unity between the community and police,” Feeley said. “We can be on a field where we can talk to them … it’s the people’s time so we can dedicate it to them.”

Glendale resident Dawna Madero, who was visiting the park on her birthday, said she was most interested by the button on the K-9 handlers’ belts, which allow them to remotely open their car doors and release their dog if, for instance, they were being attacked by a suspect.

“It’s amazing,” Madero said. “The K-9s are very useful for the police department.”

Madero’s daughter, 9-year-old Isabella, proclaimed “everything” was her favorite part of the demonstration and that all the dogs were “awesome.”

Although the event was free to attend, proceeds collected from activities, memorabilia and food vendors go toward supporting the Glendale K-9 unit, which is funded solely by donations.