A new team is readying to take the lead for Sequim Police Department’s K-9 program.

After more than 300 hours of training in Pennsylvania, Sequim’s new K-9 Officer Tony Bush arrived late last week with an all-black, 16-month-old German shepherd named Mamba.

Bush, a Sequim native, said he grew up with dogs and his decision to pursue the K-9 officer position felt like a good fit.

“(I like) the excitement of having a buddy every single day and that connection,” he said. “I think man’s best friend is a real thing. I’ve been with her seven weeks now and I love her.”

Bush and Mamba continue the K-9 program that began in 2000 with Sgt. Dave Campbell and Huey, who was donated by Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Mike Hill took on the K-9 officer role in 2005 to work with Titus for three years and continued the program with Chase from 2008-September 2016 upon the dog’s retirement from service.

Chase, who specialized in tracking and apprehending wanted persons, lived with Hill and his family during and after his career that included tracking more than 90 suspects, searching 65 buildings, assisting in the arrest of more than 100 wanted persons and assisting neighboring agencies more than 100 times.

Chase died April 4 from cancer that came back following surgery in February 2016 to remove a cancerous mass near his lower intestine.

“After the surgery, he had more than a year of living a great, normal dog life,” Hill said.

Since the K-9 program started it’s been largely funded by community and business donations, including funds and in-kind services for Chase’s surgery and food from Best Friend Nutrition (since 2008).

Hill, who has worked a majority of his career with a dog by his side, said “In general, our city really promotes and supports dogs.”

Along with his regular duties, Chase participated in public demonstrations and visited care facilities and schools.

“The canine program is unique in that in one way it’s in place to deter suspects. It’s also a great way to be in touch with citizens,” Hill said.

Following his death, Chase’s body was used for dog cancer research through the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium.

More Mamba

In the coming months, Mamba will continue to train with Bush and Hill to receive state certification before going full-time this summer.

Mamba is trained to track human scent and her obedience training is going well, Bush said.

His biggest adjustment has been getting his tone of voice correct, he said.

Over the past six weeks of training, Bush and Mamba worked 10 hours a day, five days a week with 18 other officers and their dogs. Mamba received some training before meeting Bush and since she comes from Holland, she understands a few Dutch commands.

Hill said Sequim’s previous dogs understood English commands and Chase knew some Czech commands because he trained with other dogs who used the language.

As Sequim’s fourth police dog, Mamba is the city’s first female canine, with Bush noting less than 10 percent of canine officers are female.

Bush’s training and purchasing Mamba were funded by a grant through the Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation in James J. Halloran’s name, who lived in Sequim for about 20 years until his death in 2005. The foundation also paid for an indoor/outdoor kennel at Bush’s home.

Bush said his family is excited to live with Mamba.

For the canine officer position, Hill said Bush was chosen from three in-house candidates who were some of the most involved officers in the community.

To support the canine police program, send donations to “Sequim Police Department K-9 Program” in care of the Sequim Police Department at 152 W. Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382. All donations go to the program.

With questions, call 683-7227.

Sequim Police Sgt. Mike Hill worked with canine officer Chase from 2008-September 2016. Chase died April 4 after cancer came back more than a year after surgery. Chase’s body was used for cancer research for dogs. Photo courtesy of Sequim Police Department

Chase, Sequim’s canine officer from 2008-September 2016, lived the last year of his life as a regular dog, said Sequim Police Sgt. Mike Hill. Chase, who died April 4, assisted or led in resolving more than 250 criminal incidents. Photo courtesy of Sequim Police Department