Newest Kamloops police dog celebrates 2nd birthday

Neeka is the newest and smallest police dog at the Kamloops RCMP detachment, and she just celebrated her second birthday earlier this month.

The 65-pound, pure black German shepherd's birthday came on Jan. 9, less than two months after graduating from police dog training on Nov. 21, according to a Kamloops RCMP news release.

But Kamloops isn't the first detachment where the dog has worked. Neeka spent time in Red Deer and Kelowna after she was born and raised at the Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta.

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"Her colour is very beneficial in the night – except when her teeth come out," Neeka's handler Cpl. Stephen Prior said in the release.

Neeka specializes in both narcotics and tracking and searching. The dog has also started training for the Emergency Response Team, replacing the recently retired Kamloops police dog Fargo.

"She has a really good demeanour and is super easy going, but quickly changes when it’s time to work," Prior said.

Neeka was on call during her birthday weekend, but has been busy throughout the winter with evidence searches and other service calls.

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