Canine officer Ryker joins Washington County Sheriff's Office

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office has a new addition: canine Ryker!

Ryker is a 70-pound black and brown colored Belgium Malinois. He was born in December 2017 in Ontario, Canada. 

The Sheriff's Office says Ryker is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, and area searches. He was trained by Working K9 in Ontario, Canada where the head trainer has spent over 25 years working with law enforcement canines. The Sheriff's Office says Ryker's tracking abilities will improve their searching capabilities, whether it's for a person trying to elude capture or a missing person in need of help. 

Deputy Jonathan Doran, who has been with the Washington County Sheriff's Office for four years, was chosen to be Ryker's handler. Ryker will live with Deputy Doran in Washington County. 

Ryker is expected to start his first patrol shift this week.