NT Police begin training patrol dogs Axe and Jax
They’re the newest recruits on the block, but before these canine cops can get on the beat they need to master the basics: sit, stay, and don’t pee on the carpet. SEE THE PICS.
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The Territory’s cutest new police recruits have started their training, continuing the legacy of their well-known dog squad member father Drax.
NT Police have welcomed a pair of German Shepard siblings, Axe and Jax, who started their 21-month training program this month.
They’re the newest recruits on the block, but before these canine cops can get on the beat they need to master the basics: sit, stay, and don’t pee on the carpet.
But NT Police Dog Operations Unit Senior Constable and their new puppy handler Steven Dalrymple said Axe and Jax had a slight advantage, with their dad Drax his canine partner of five-years.
Constable Dalrymple said the pair could be on their first patrol by September 2025.
But Axe and Jax will have their work cut out for them, with only a third of all dogs passing the NT Police training course.
Constable Dalrymple said there were currently eight dogs on the Territory squad, but Alice Springs canine officers Fitzy and Freddy were approaching their eight-year retirement age.
Once fully grown the Axe and Jax will be deployed as “patrol dogs” used to hunt down alleged offenders.
With a bite force of up to 291 pounds per square inch, German Shepherds have one of the strongest jaws among dog breeds.
However Constable Dalrymple avoided speaking about their strength, saying “it’s not really about how hard they bite or anything like that”.
Last week a 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital after being bitten by a police dog after allegedly being involved in a stolen car ram raid.
In his latest annual report the NT Ombudsman Peter Shoyer urged for a review into the Dog Operations Instructions, particularly the use of force against children or non-violent offenders.
Mr Shoyer pointed to recent studies of the Western Australia police which found a third of people caught by dogs required medical treatment.
He said currently the NT Police instructions did not sufficiently emphasise this risk of injury.
However, Constable Dalrymple said any review of the dog squad’s use of force would be discussed “a little bit later down the track when I’ve got some statistics”.
MEET JAX, AXE AND THEIR DAD DRAX
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