Meet Drax, our newest crime fighter

DRAX may have lopsided ears and puppy fur right now, but in 18 months he’ll be a tough patrol dog assisting police on the beat

Drax, the German Shepherd pup, is destined to be a police dog. Pictrure Patrina Malone

Drax may have lopsided ears and puppy fur but in 18 months he’ll be a tough patrol dog assisting police on the beat

The nine-week-old german shepherd is the newest recruit into the NT Police Dog Unit, having come from breeders in New South Wales last week.

With an insatiable desire to bite things and sniff around, his handler Constable Adam

Drax, a nine-week-old German Shepherd pup destined to be a police dog with the help of Alice Springs NT Police Dog Unit Constable Adam Donaldson. Picture Patrina Malon

Donaldson is confident Drax will graduate from the training program as a fully fledged patrol dog in Alice Springs.

“He’s very naughty, he’s a naughty little boofhead, he’s hard as nails and a cheeky little dog but he’s friendly, too,” Constable Donaldson said.

Drax will be assigned to Constable Donaldson for the entirety of his police dog career.

“It’s good to have him from a puppy and to be able to bring him up all the way into being a police dog, rather than getting him at an older age, as your bond is a lot better, a lot closer,” he said.

“It’s not so cool at 4am in the morning when he wakes you up but it’s good fun having him around.”

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Once graduated Drax will join the ranks of Loki, Alice Springs Police’s top patrol dog.

“He will be used for the tracking of offenders when they run away, he will be used for apprehending violent offenders, clearing buildings and public order situations like riots,” Constable Donaldson said.

“It’s a massive boost for people out there on the road doing their job when the dog’s there.

“A lot of jobs will resolve themselves just because the dog is there.”