San Andreas, CA – There is a new, four-legged force for justice patrolling the foothills of Calaveras County. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office recently introduced its newest recruit: Chiro, a Belgian Malinois, hitting the streets alongside his partner, Deputy Christopher Rhodes.
Just 20 months old, Chiro arrived in California by way of the Slovak Republic. A Belgian Malinois bred specifically for the rigors of law enforcement, Chiro is a triple threat thanks to his intensive European training in Schutzhund. This elite program evaluates a dog’s mastery in three critical areas, tracking, obedience, and protection.
Partnered with Chiro is Deputy Christopher Rhodes, a three-year veteran of the department and a Calaveras County native.
The pair is deep in the bonding process, preparing for field service through the Top Dog Police K9 Training and Consulting program. They will be mentored by the team of Sergeant Buie and K-9 Titan.
The addition of Chiro wasn’t just a department effort—it was a community one. Sheriff Rachelle Whiting credited the Friends of the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office (FOCSO) for making the acquisition possible.
“We’re excited to welcome Chiro to the team and look forward to the work he and Deputy Rhodes will do serving the residents of Calaveras County,” said Sheriff Whiting.
The sheriff even notes, “He has a little white patch of hair in the center of his chest, and it looks like it is in the shape of a badge. Chiro was born to do this job.”
The K9 arrived thanks to a public-private partnership with the Friends of Calaveras Sheriff’s Office. FOCSO, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides financial help for many of the department’s specialized programs, including the K-9 unit.
