A new Lebanon police officer was introduced Wednesday afternoon, March 12, by Mayor Sherry Capello and Police Chief Bret Fisher in a swearing-in ceremony held at Lebanon City Hall’s Francis J. Dixon multi-purpose room.
But unlike the other 41 officers on the force, this new officer travels on four legs, follows orders only when given in Dutch, and tips the scale between 95 and 100 pounds.
His name is Ares, a Belgian malinois who was bred in the Netherlands and born on July 16, 2022. He took center stage with his handler, Officer Erin Secoges, to the delight of the audience that included Lebanon residents, officials from city departments, and a number of police and firefighters.
Before Ares made his official debut, a group of young girls from Troop 1747 of the American Heritage Girls sat waiting in the front row. They had participated in various events leading up to the acquisition of Ares.
Abbie Clelan, 9, said quietly, “We did fund-raising for the K-9 dog.”
Emma Murray, also 9, who was there with her parents, Mike and Jackie, and younger siblings, Gabriel and Sara, stated unequivocally, “The K-9 is helping the police.”
Mayor Capello opened her remarks with praise for K-9 officers.
“Dogs like Ares are incredible working with their handlers,” said Capello. “Their tenacity in apprehending suspects is amazing.”
The mayor explained that Ares will work primarily in drug enforcement but that he brings a number of advantages to enhance the abilities of police.
“A malinois possesses physical strength, night vision, superior sense of smell, and intelligence,” Capello said. “Ares is another tool in our tool chest. Dogs (like him) help police officers do their jobs safer.”
“In the last six weeks, Patrolman Segoces spent more time with Ares than with her family,” said Chief Fisher. “To be a K-9 handler is a labor of love.”
Fisher said that Segoces, who has been with the department for just over four years, set herself apart from the other K-9 handler candidates.
“She has made a solid commitment to the city and the department as a first aid and CPR instructor,” said Fisher. “And her relationship with Ares grows from the first day to retirement.”
According to the American Kennel Club, a malinois is smart, confident, hardworking, and versatile breed. Hill’s Pet Nutrition company refers to a malinois as elegant and well proportioned. Among their research findings, Hills cites that the malinois is effective in protection and law enforcement and is particularly suited for drug, bomb and gas detection, tracking and rescue work.
As the mayor put it, “Let a suspect look into the eyes of a big dog and decide: Do I want to run or stay here.”
Goed jongen (“Good boy”)
Ares, named after the Greek god of war, and Segoces trained at the High Drive K-9 Academy in Butler, South Carolina. The academy trains police and military K-9 teams from around the world. Ares and Segoces went through six weeks of intense training that consisted of academics, hands-on practical instruction, lectures, and canine demonstrations.
During training, Segoces and Ares learned to work closely as a team. Ares became schooled in verbal and non-verbal obedience, tracking (including missing person support), narcotics, and bite work.
“We have a fantastic bond,” Segoces said. “After the first week it grew exponentially.”
Part of building that bond involved a baseball diamond.
“I had to carry him 10 times around a muddy infield,” she fondly recalled, pointing out that Ares weighs close to 100 pounds.
“He did awesome,” she said proudly, adding that it was gratifying “to watch him grow week by week.”
“I give commands in Dutch,” Segoces explained. “That’s the only way he can respond, and that’s all I know in that language.”
Segoces also learned a few things herself during those six weeks, not the least of which is patience.
“You learn how to work with dogs,” she said. “It’s a whole new world with a different level of training and thinking you have to do.”
Ares is just under 2 years old which, at first glance, means he is still a puppy but is expected to contribute to the mission of public safety.
“He has a good on/off switch,” said Segoces. “He knows what time it is to go to work. When I put him in a patrol car, he knows what’s going on. At home after training or work his inner puppy comes out.”
Ares and Segoces work and live together. When Ares retires he will become a full-time member of the Segoces family, which includes another dog. Sometimes a dog who has reign over the family turf may not take to another dog entering the picture. However, Segoces reports that Echo, the family dog, and Ares have become like “two peas in a pod.”
There is one challenge that can’t be taken for granted. “You have to be 5 percent smarter than dogs,” she allowed. “My job is to guide him with the safest measures.”
Ares was sworn in by city clerk Cheryl Gibson, with Segoces repeating the oath on his behalf. He also left his paw print on his page in the city’s log of officers. Fisher said Ares will wear badge No. 11.
A cause for paws
The Lebanon Police Department’s K-9 unit would not be possible without the dedication and work of Lebanon businessman Tony Matula, the mayor said.
“We would not have a K-9 unit without his efforts,” said Capello.
Over the last 25 years, Matula has helped raise $103,000 for the unit. In appreciation of his efforts, Capello and City Council presented Matula with a certificate of recognition stating “our sincere appreciation for his ongoing efforts and strong commitment to the City of Lebanon’s K-9 program and police department.”
In 2023, Matula headed a campaign that brought in $41,000 to obtain another K-9, replace the K-9 vehicle, and equipment.
Read More: Benefit auction on Nov. 5 will raise funds for Lebanon city’s police K-9 program
In 1999 Matula unsuccessfully ran for Lebanon City Council on the major issue of reinstating the city’s K-9 unit. He pointed out that while the election was not a referendum on whether to reinstate the K-9 unit, former Mayor Jackie Parker gave him the green light to raise the funds needed for the unit.
“That effort raised $21,000,” Matula recounted. “That was a lot then and we reinstated the K-9 unit the following year.”
With those funds K-9 officers Spartacus, BOLO, and Keiser joined the force as patrol dogs. Two more dogs, Zodiac and Socrates, were added for drug detection.
Fetching the funds
Donations to the K-9 Fund to acquire Ares ranged from $10 to $18,000. Here is a sampling of the 56 organizations, businesses, and citizens who contributed:
- William D. Lebo Foundation: $18,000
- Friends of All Animals: $4,000
- RJ Sells Body Shop Inc.: $2,500
- Lebanon Federal Credit Union: $10,000
- Veterinary Medical Center of Lebanon: $500
- Frederick Fuhrman VFW Post 23: $500
- Michael Wise II Memorial Foundation Inc.: $500
- St. Gertrude’s Club: $500
- Mary Chan: $500
As time went on the K-9 unit was disbanded. Then, in 2009, the need for the unit resurfaced. Matula met with the mayor and launched a year long fund-raising campaign that included bowling tournaments, a cookbook, and dog walks. The final tally came in at $52,000 and K-9 officers Drome and Axel joined the force. Drome passed away in 2012 during the city’s annual Holiday Parade and was replaced by K-9 Officer Friday. Axel retired and was replaced by K-9 Officer Apollo, who served to his retirement last December.
Last year, another meeting with the mayor and police chief was followed by yet another fundraising campaign that resulted in $32,000 in donations.
As a result of the fundraising efforts, Ares joined the Lebanon Police Department as a K-9 officer. Related costs included acquisition, training, and equipment for a total of $20,152. Health/veterinary care for Ares also will come from the campaign.
“Thank you for being so generous,” Matula told the audience.
To Segoces and Ares, Matula wished them “the best in safety and happiness.”
The ceremony concluded with the mayor and the police chief expressing their gratitude and thanks to all the citizens and organizations that contributed to the city’s K-9 Fund.
Batter up!
To help meet the goal of ongoing maintenance of Lebanon’s K-9 Unit, the city is making available a limited-edition baseball card featuring Ares. “The cost is $20,” said Tony Matula. “It will assure the future of the program.”
Order forms are available at the police station at 735 Cumberland St.; phone: 717-272-6611.
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