Nashua Police Department to add two dogs to its canine unit

NASHUA – A German shepherd and a Belgian Malinois will soon be the Nashua Police Department’s newest officers. On Wednesday , the Board of Aldermen’s Finance Committee unanimously approved the department’s $13,000 purchase of the two dogs, named Arex Vom Hugelblick and Tango, respectively. “I think they’re a wonderful part of your team,” said Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly. Arex and Tango, along with their handlers, officers Michael Lang and Eric Walker, will fill vacant spots on the force’s canine team; the Nashua Police Department has two dogs already. One of the Nashua Police Department’s canines retired in 2009, another in late 2011. “At this time, we are ready to bring on two canines and two handlers to replace vacant positions,” said Nashua Police Chief John Seusing in a letter to city purchasing manager Robert Gabriel. “It was important to find dogs that were not only the right temperament and match to the officer, but also the officer must have the right personality and style to match the selected canine to train and work together effectively.” Arex, a sable-colored German shepherd, and Tango, a fawn-colored Belgian Malinois, were trained by the Boston Police Department, which has trained Nashua’s canines for years. Nashua has had a canine unit since 1996. Last year, the Nashua School District reinstated the Nashua Police Department’s canine unit as part of school narcotics searches at the high schools.