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IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
How a pet rescue is helping federal workers find solace after job loss
Tim, one of the kittens Mollie Kolaitis is fostering, holds onto her right foot. Image: Mollie Kolaitis As a 10-year-old, Denise Joseph told everyone she wanted to be Mother Teresa. While Joseph never became a saint, her passion for public service drew her to the Education Department, where she began working as an analyst in 2015. But when Joseph was placed on administrative leave in January - and learned three months later she would be fired - she turned her attention to something else: dogs. Joseph began fostering two mixed German shepherd and Labrador retriever puppies, Wren and Wrigley. 'I have a reason to get up in the morning,' Joseph told The Washington Post, 'to walk the dogs and feed them and, you know, to help calm me.' Joseph is one of a handful of former federal employees who are taking advantage of an animal rescue's recent offer in Arlington, Virginia. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is providing free supplies, including food, toys, bowls, leashes, collars, treats and crates, to fired federal workers who foster dogs or cats. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Wren, a mixed German shepherd and Labrador retriever puppy, is being fostered by Denise Joseph Image: Denise Joseph Mirah Horowitz, Lucky Dog's chief executive, said the program is great for the pets who get a temporary home, and also the foster volunteers, who might find solace in caring for a pet. 'The cost to the former federal employee or contractor would be, you know, their time and their love,' Horowitz said. 'And we will provide the rest.' When sweeping job cuts in the federal government began in February under President Donald Trump's administration, Horowitz said her already overflowed rescue became more crowded. Some fired federal workers gave up their pets because they were moving or could no longer afford veterinary care, Horowitz said. In the following weeks, Horowitz said she considered waiving the $200 to $500 adoption fees for fired federal workers. But she realized they might need a more flexible situation while they look for new jobs and possibly new homes, she said. To make the program feasible financially, Horowitz said Arlington's Dogma Dog Bakery agreed to sell food to the rescue at a reduced cost. She said foster volunteers in the program save between $100 to $200 per month. Donna Davis of Arlington, Virginia, began fostering 1-year-old King, a mixed Rottweiler and German shepherd, last month. Image: Donna Davis One volunteer is Donna Davis, who said she was fired from her contracting position with the Defense Department in February. However, when Davis picked up King, a mixed Rottweiler and German shepherd, last month, she was uncertain if the partnership would work out. King, who weighs nearly 80 pounds, pulled Davis into streets while she held the leash and barked at other dogs. He ate a David Mamet book Davis borrowed from the library, prompting Davis to spend hours taping the pieces of paper back together. But a few days later, the 1-year-old pup became attached to Davis. When Davis took King to the Shirlington Dog Park in the evenings, King looked back every few minutes to ensure Davis was still there. Lucky Dog provided Davis squeaky toys, two beds, a leash, crunchy biscuits and bone broth treats. Davis made her own beef liver treats. Tabitha and Tiffani, kittens Mollie Kolaitis is fostering, nap together Image: Mollie Kolaitis King has become a beloved figure at Davis's church, where she takes him on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. A week after Davis began fostering him, King growled when others approached Davis - a sign he was protecting her, Davis said. They ran a five-kilometer race together at Theodore Roosevelt Island. Davis has struggled to find work, she said, and has considered leaving Arlington. On April 30, she posted a picture of King on Facebook, seeking his permanent home. But now, Davis said she is considering adopting King - even if she's dreading the librarians' reactions when she tries to return the book King ate. 'I gave up a lot of my life for this dog,' Davis said. 'And that's okay. I feel like that's not necessarily a bad thing.' While Lucky Dog's program is for fired workers, former federal employees who recently accepted buyout offers have also fostered pets with their spare time. Mollie Kolaitis, who took a buyout from her job as an attorney adviser in the Department of Health and Human Services in March, has turned her home office into a room for her new foster cats. The nine kittens she began fostering last month have been distracting, running across her desk in Waterford, Virginia, and accidentally opening Microsoft Excel when they step on her laptop. But Kolaitis, 41, said the experience has been rewarding. Wrigley, a mixed German shepherd and Labrador retriever puppy, is being fostered by Denise Joseph. Image: Denise Joseph 'It's something nice to pour yourself into and take your focus off of things that are happening right now,' Kolaitis said, 'and just feel like you're doing a little bit of good for the world when it doesn't feel like there is a lot.' Since taking the buyout, Kolaitis has also fostered a Chihuahua mix and her four babies. She mixed dog food with formula and fed the puppies through a syringe in her sunroom. She house-trained them before they were adopted a few weeks later. 'People who go into federal service, they have an interest in the public, and they have an interest of wanting to help others,' Kolaitis said. 'And, you know, if they're looking for something to do, this is a really good way to spend some time.' Joseph, the analyst who was fired from the Education Department, said she couldn't sleep after she received an email Jan. 29 with a letter attached. It said she would be placed on administration leave 'pursuant to the President's executive order on DEIA,' referring to Trump's efforts to end diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs in the federal government. Walking Wren and Wrigley around her neighbourhood in Waldorf, Maryland, three or four times a day has brought her joy. She has house-trained them - but she still bought a patch of turf to place in front of their crates in case they relieve themselves inside. While Joseph said Wren and Wrigley, both 16 weeks old, are bigger than she prefers - they're each roughly 35 pounds and counting - she plans to foster them until someone adopts them. Then, she might find more dogs to foster while she job hunts. 'I just have this mindset to help people and to help raise them and train them,' Joseph said, 'so they can be their best selves - or their best animal selves.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pets with a toolkit: Protection dogs train to handle burglars as sports stars boost home security
EMBOROUGH, England (AP) — Scream all you want, but Lobo isn't letting go. The young German shepherd has chomped into the arm of a would-be attacker wearing a padded suit at K9 Protector in southwest England. A command later, Lobo is back at the feet of Alaster Bly and awaiting his next instruction. 'I describe them as pets with a toolkit built into them. A toolkit that you hope you're never going to use,' said Bly, K9 Protector co-owner. Expensive protection dogs like Lobo have been in demand among professional athletes to guard against burglars who target wealthy homes often as part of sophisticated crime rings. Athletes are particularly vulnerable while they're away at games. 'He will end up in somebody's home with high-net worth that is potentially at risk from more than your opportunist burglar,' Bly said of Lobo, who costs 45,000 pounds ($60,000) and boasts a Bavarian bloodline that is 'second to none.' The lengthy list of athletes whose residences have been hit includes Premier League stars Jack Grealish and Alexander Isak. England cricket captain Ben Stokes' home was burglarized while he was playing in Pakistan. It's becoming a major problem in the United States, too, with former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman a recent example. The homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October as part of a wave of break-ins that also targeted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Seven Chilean men were charged in connection with those burglaries, as well as the break-in at Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis' home, where nearly $1.5 million in cash and valuables were stolen. After consulting the FBI, the NBA drew up guidance for players. One of the recommendations: 'Utilize dogs for home protection.' Which breed is best? While almost any dog can provide some deterrence, protection-dog providers offer breeds like German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman and Cane Corso. Bly and his wife, K9 Protector co-owner Sian Bly, work predominantly with German shepherds. 'They are the most proven dogs at being family dogs,' Alaster Bly said. They begin to differentiate early on which pups show potential. 'If we've got a puppy that's really confident, is chasing a rag, biting hold of the rag, and their food drive is high, that's a good starting point,' Sian Bly said. 'We look at how competitive they are with their siblings, as well. You're looking for quite a strong dog.' Dogs that don't make the cut might get routed to prison service or police duty. 'You can't place a dog with young kids that's nervous or that the temperament isn't 100%,' she said. Protection dogs are expensive The handful of K9 Protector dogs that reach 'high-threat environment' status cost up to 75,000 pounds ($100,000). It can take a couple of years to train for all sorts of scenarios. 'It's vast — the ability to deal with four intruders at once, vehicle carjacking tactics, being acceptant of multi-handlers,' Alaster Bly said. 'Husband, wife, nanny, housekeeper, estate manager all being able to handle that dog in an equal way in a threat scenario, and the dog still responding in the same way — is very different to a pet-level-trained dog with protection training.' Clients must be a good match, though. Sian Bly said if they think a buyer 'might use the dog in the wrong way, then we don't sell them the dog. It doesn't matter about the finances.' Between 10-15% of their clients are professional athletes and they typically require nondisclosure agreements, as do the actors and singers who come calling. They sell about two or three dogs per month. When the economy is bad and crime increases — demand is higher. Winter months see more sales and the pandemic period of 2020-21 was 'the busiest we've ever been," Sian Bly said. UFC fighter Aspinall picks a German shepherd UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall added a protection dog to his family after moving to a new house. The Manchester native posted a video about it. 'I'm not here all the time. I just wanted someone else kind of looking after the family, as well as me, even when I'm here,' Aspinall said of his German shepherd. U.S. soccer midfielder Tyler Adams opted for a Rottweiler from Total K9, the North Yorkshire company that provided Aspinall's dog. Tottenham midfielder James Maddison got a 145-pound Cane Corso from Leicestershire-based Chaperone K9, which also counts Grealish as a client. Grealish's mansion was burglarized just after Christmas in 2023 while the Manchester City midfielder was playing a game at Everton. Family members called police when they heard noises and after Grealish's Belgian Malinois and Cockapoo reportedly started barking. Grealish later called it 'a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt." Tips for home security The NBA memo urged removing online real estate listings that show interiors. Some stars post their protection dogs on social media along with the pets' names — but they probably shouldn't. 'There is nothing more off-putting to a dog than being called by its own name when you're breaking into the home,' Alaster Bly said. The Blys use German commands, which buyers must learn. On K9 Protector's website, former long-distance runner Mo Farah, a four-time Olympic champion, described turning to a protection dog after his home was burglarized despite an alarm system, video coverage and 24-hour security patrols. Intruders at Burrow's house eluded manned security at his property while he was playing a Monday Night Football game at Dallas in December. The criminal complaint on the Chilean crew said they liked to approach from 'a wooded or dark area.' Knowing the rules Under the UK's 'Guard Dogs Act,' someone capable of controlling a guard dog must be at the premises, and a notice must be posted at the entrance about the dog. Technically, there are scenarios that could result in criminal prosecution of dog owners in Britain — even in burglaries. The National Association of Security Dog Users 'does not promote the use of dogs as personal/family protection dogs and issues no certification or training courses in relation to this type of dog,' said Roger Flett, a NASDU director. Samantha Gaines of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warned against the 'glamorization' of painful ear-cropping on breeds like Doberman and Cane Corso. The procedure is prohibited in England and Wales, but it's legal to import them that way. UK burglaries are decreasing It's unknown if break-ins at wealthy homes are increasing, but statistics for England and Wales show residential burglaries overall are decreasing. From the year ending March 2018 to the year ending September 2024, there was a 42% drop, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Just a small percentage of burglaries get solved, however. Only in late 2022 did police chiefs commit to responding to all break-ins. Alaster Bly, a former police officer, said it's not just about burglaries. A CEO of a company might be facing a threat, or a person might be dealing with a stalker. 'There are life-changing incidents that take place regularly,' he said. 'The array of problems and crime that's going on in the UK at the moment keeps us busy.' ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pets with a toolkit: Protection dogs train to handle burglars as sports stars boost home security
EMBOROUGH, England (AP) — Scream all you want, but Lobo isn't letting go. The young German shepherd has chomped into the arm of a would-be attacker wearing a padded suit at K9 Protector in southwest England. 'I describe them as pets with a toolkit built into them. A toolkit that you hope you're never going to use,' said Bly, K9 Protector co-owner. Expensive protection dogs like Lobo have been in demand among professional athletes to guard against burglars who target wealthy homes often as part of sophisticated crime rings. Athletes are particularly vulnerable while they're away at games. 'He will end up in somebody's home with high-net worth that is potentially at risk from more than your opportunist burglar,' Bly said of Lobo, who costs 45,000 pounds ($60,000) and boasts a Bavarian bloodline that is 'second to none.' The lengthy list of athletes whose residences have been hit includes Premier League stars Jack Grealish and Alexander Isak. England cricket captain Ben Stokes' home was burglarized while he was playing in Pakistan. It's becoming a major problem in the United States, too, with former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman a recent example. The homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October as part of a wave of break-ins that also targeted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Seven Chilean men were charged in connection with those burglaries, as well as the break-in at Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis' home, where nearly $1.5 million in cash and valuables were stolen. After consulting the FBI, the NBA drew up guidance for players. One of the recommendations: 'Utilize dogs for home protection.' Which breed is best? While almost any dog can provide some deterrence, protection-dog providers offer breeds like German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman and Cane Corso. Bly and his wife, K9 Protector co-owner Sian Bly, work predominantly with German shepherds. 'They are the most proven dogs at being family dogs,' Alaster Bly said. They begin to differentiate early on which pups show potential. 'If we've got a puppy that's really confident, is chasing a rag, biting hold of the rag, and their food drive is high, that's a good starting point,' Sian Bly said. 'We look at how competitive they are with their siblings, as well. You're looking for quite a strong dog.' Dogs that don't make the cut might get routed to prison service or police duty. 'You can't place a dog with young kids that's nervous or that the temperament isn't 100%,' she said. Protection dogs are expensive The handful of K9 Protector dogs that reach 'high-threat environment' status cost up to 75,000 pounds ($100,000). It can take a couple of years to train for all sorts of scenarios. 'It's vast — the ability to deal with four intruders at once, vehicle carjacking tactics, being acceptant of multi-handlers,' Alaster Bly said. 'Husband, wife, nanny, housekeeper, estate manager all being able to handle that dog in an equal way in a threat scenario, and the dog still responding in the same way — is very different to a pet-level-trained dog with protection training.' Clients must be a good match, though. Sian Bly said if they think a buyer 'might use the dog in the wrong way, then we don't sell them the dog. It doesn't matter about the finances.' Between 10-15% of their clients are professional athletes and they typically require nondisclosure agreements, as do the actors and singers who come calling. They sell about two or three dogs per month. When the economy is bad and crime increases — demand is higher. Winter months see more sales and the pandemic period of 2020-21 was 'the busiest we've ever been," Sian Bly said. UFC fighter Aspinall picks a German shepherd UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall added a protection dog to his family after moving to a new house. The Manchester native posted a video about it. 'I'm not here all the time. I just wanted someone else kind of looking after the family, as well as me, even when I'm here,' Aspinall said of his German shepherd. U.S. soccer midfielder Tyler Adams opted for a Rottweiler from Total K9, the North Yorkshire company that provided Aspinall's dog. Tottenham midfielder James Maddison got a 145-pound Cane Corso from Leicestershire-based Chaperone K9, which also counts Grealish as a client. Grealish's mansion was burglarized just after Christmas in 2023 while the Manchester City midfielder was playing a game at Everton. Family members called police when they heard noises and after Grealish's Belgian Malinois and Cockapoo reportedly started barking. Grealish later called it 'a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt." Tips for home security The NBA memo urged removing online real estate listings that show interiors. Some stars post their protection dogs on social media along with the pets' names — but they probably shouldn't. 'There is nothing more off-putting to a dog than being called by its own name when you're breaking into the home,' Alaster Bly said. The Blys use German commands, which buyers must learn. On K9 Protector's website, former long-distance runner Mo Farah, a four-time Olympic champion, described turning to a protection dog after his home was burglarized despite an alarm system, video coverage and 24-hour security patrols. Intruders at Burrow's house eluded manned security at his property while he was playing a Monday Night Football game at Dallas in December. The criminal complaint on the Chilean crew said they liked to approach from 'a wooded or dark area.' Knowing the rules Under the UK's 'Guard Dogs Act,' someone capable of controlling a guard dog must be at the premises, and a notice must be posted at the entrance about the dog. Technically, there are scenarios that could result in criminal prosecution of dog owners in Britain — even in burglaries. The National Association of Security Dog Users 'does not promote the use of dogs as personal/family protection dogs and issues no certification or training courses in relation to this type of dog,' said Roger Flett, a NASDU director. Samantha Gaines of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warned against the 'glamorization' of painful ear-cropping on breeds like Doberman and Cane Corso. The procedure is prohibited in England and Wales, but it's legal to import them that way. UK burglaries are decreasing It's unknown if break-ins at wealthy homes are increasing, but statistics for England and Wales show residential burglaries overall are decreasing. From the year ending March 2018 to the year ending September 2024, there was a 42% drop, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Alaster Bly, a former police officer, said it's not just about burglaries. A CEO of a company might be facing a threat, or a person might be dealing with a stalker. 'There are life-changing incidents that take place regularly,' he said. 'The array of problems and crime that's going on in the UK at the moment keeps us busy.'
Fox Sports
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Pets with a toolkit: Protection dogs train to handle burglars as sports stars boost home security
Associated Press EMBOROUGH, England (AP) — Scream all you want, but Lobo isn't letting go. The young German shepherd has chomped into the arm of a would-be attacker wearing a padded suit at K9 Protector in southwest England. A command later, Lobo is back at the feet of Alaster Bly and awaiting his next instruction. 'I describe them as pets with a toolkit built into them. A toolkit that you hope you're never going to use,' said Bly, K9 Protector co-owner. Expensive protection dogs like Lobo have been in demand among professional athletes to guard against burglars who target wealthy homes often as part of sophisticated crime rings. Athletes are particularly vulnerable while they're away at games. 'He will end up in somebody's home with high-net worth that is potentially at risk from more than your opportunist burglar,' Bly said of Lobo, who costs 45,000 pounds ($60,000) and boasts a Bavarian bloodline that is 'second to none.' The lengthy list of athletes whose residences have been hit includes Premier League stars Jack Grealish and Alexander Isak. England cricket captain Ben Stokes' home was burglarized while he was playing in Pakistan. It's becoming a major problem in the United States, too, with former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman a recent example. The homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October as part of a wave of break-ins that also targeted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Seven Chilean men were charged in connection with those burglaries, as well as the break-in at Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis' home, where nearly $1.5 million in cash and valuables were stolen. After consulting the FBI, the NBA drew up guidance for players. One of the recommendations: 'Utilize dogs for home protection.' Which breed is best? While almost any dog can provide some deterrence, protection-dog providers offer breeds like German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman and Cane Corso. Bly and his wife, K9 Protector co-owner Sian Bly, work predominantly with German shepherds. 'They are the most proven dogs at being family dogs,' Alaster Bly said. They begin to differentiate early on which pups show potential. 'If we've got a puppy that's really confident, is chasing a rag, biting hold of the rag, and their food drive is high, that's a good starting point,' Sian Bly said. 'We look at how competitive they are with their siblings, as well. You're looking for quite a strong dog.' Dogs that don't make the cut might get routed to prison service or police duty. 'You can't place a dog with young kids that's nervous or that the temperament isn't 100%,' she said. Protection dogs are expensive The handful of K9 Protector dogs that reach 'high-threat environment' status cost up to 75,000 pounds ($100,000). It can take a couple of years to train for all sorts of scenarios. 'It's vast — the ability to deal with four intruders at once, vehicle carjacking tactics, being acceptant of multi-handlers,' Alaster Bly said. 'Husband, wife, nanny, housekeeper, estate manager all being able to handle that dog in an equal way in a threat scenario, and the dog still responding in the same way — is very different to a pet-level-trained dog with protection training.' Clients must be a good match, though. Sian Bly said if they think a buyer 'might use the dog in the wrong way, then we don't sell them the dog. It doesn't matter about the finances.' Between 10-15% of their clients are professional athletes and they typically require nondisclosure agreements, as do the actors and singers who come calling. They sell about two or three dogs per month. When the economy is bad and crime increases — demand is higher. Winter months see more sales and the pandemic period of 2020-21 was 'the busiest we've ever been," Sian Bly said. UFC fighter Aspinall picks a German shepherd UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall added a protection dog to his family after moving to a new house. The Manchester native posted a video about it. 'I'm not here all the time. I just wanted someone else kind of looking after the family, as well as me, even when I'm here,' Aspinall said of his German shepherd. U.S. soccer midfielder Tyler Adams opted for a Rottweiler from Total K9, the North Yorkshire company that provided Aspinall's dog. Tottenham midfielder James Maddison got a 145-pound Cane Corso from Leicestershire-based Chaperone K9, which also counts Grealish as a client. Grealish's mansion was burglarized just after Christmas in 2023 while the Manchester City midfielder was playing a game at Everton. Family members called police when they heard noises and after Grealish's Belgian Malinois and Cockapoo reportedly started barking. Grealish later called it 'a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt." Tips for home security The NBA memo urged removing online real estate listings that show interiors. Some stars post their protection dogs on social media along with the pets' names — but they probably shouldn't. 'There is nothing more off-putting to a dog than being called by its own name when you're breaking into the home,' Alaster Bly said. The Blys use German commands, which buyers must learn. On K9 Protector's website, former long-distance runner Mo Farah, a four-time Olympic champion, described turning to a protection dog after his home was burglarized despite an alarm system, video coverage and 24-hour security patrols. Intruders at Burrow's house eluded manned security at his property while he was playing a Monday Night Football game at Dallas in December. The criminal complaint on the Chilean crew said they liked to approach from 'a wooded or dark area.' Knowing the rules Under the UK's 'Guard Dogs Act,' someone capable of controlling a guard dog must be at the premises, and a notice must be posted at the entrance about the dog. Technically, there are scenarios that could result in criminal prosecution of dog owners in Britain — even in burglaries. The National Association of Security Dog Users 'does not promote the use of dogs as personal/family protection dogs and issues no certification or training courses in relation to this type of dog,' said Roger Flett, a NASDU director. Samantha Gaines of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warned against the 'glamorization' of painful ear-cropping on breeds like Doberman and Cane Corso. The procedure is prohibited in England and Wales, but it's legal to import them that way. UK burglaries are decreasing It's unknown if break-ins at wealthy homes are increasing, but statistics for England and Wales show residential burglaries overall are decreasing. From the year ending March 2018 to the year ending September 2024, there was a 42% drop, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Just a small percentage of burglaries get solved, however. Only in late 2022 did police chiefs commit to responding to all break-ins. Alaster Bly, a former police officer, said it's not just about burglaries. A CEO of a company might be facing a threat, or a person might be dealing with a stalker. 'There are life-changing incidents that take place regularly,' he said. 'The array of problems and crime that's going on in the UK at the moment keeps us busy.' ___ AP soccer: recommended
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Pets with a toolkit: Protection dogs train to handle burglars as sports stars boost home security
EMBOROUGH, England (AP) — Scream all you want, but Lobo isn't letting go. The young German shepherd has chomped into the arm of a would-be attacker wearing a padded suit at K9 Protector in southwest England. A command later, Lobo is back at the feet of Alaster Bly and awaiting his next instruction. 'I describe them as pets with a toolkit built into them. A toolkit that you hope you're never going to use,' said Bly, K9 Protector co-owner. Expensive protection dogs like Lobo have been in demand among professional athletes to guard against burglars who target wealthy homes often as part of sophisticated crime rings. Athletes are particularly vulnerable while they're away at games. 'He will end up in somebody's home with high-net worth that is potentially at risk from more than your opportunist burglar,' Bly said of Lobo, who costs 45,000 pounds ($60,000) and boasts a Bavarian bloodline that is 'second to none.' The lengthy list of athletes whose residences have been hit includes Premier League stars Jack Grealish and Alexander Isak. England cricket captain Ben Stokes' home was burglarized while he was playing in Pakistan. It's becoming a major problem in the United States, too, with former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman a recent example . The homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October as part of a wave of break-ins that also targeted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Seven Chilean men were charged in connection with those burglaries, as well as the break-in at Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis' home, where nearly $1.5 million in cash and valuables were stolen. After consulting the FBI, the NBA drew up guidance for players . One of the recommendations: 'Utilize dogs for home protection.' Which breed is best? While almost any dog can provide some deterrence, protection-dog providers offer breeds like German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman and Cane Corso. Bly and his wife, K9 Protector co-owner Sian Bly, work predominantly with German shepherds. 'They are the most proven dogs at being family dogs,' Alaster Bly said. They begin to differentiate early on which pups show potential. 'If we've got a puppy that's really confident, is chasing a rag, biting hold of the rag, and their food drive is high, that's a good starting point,' Sian Bly said. 'We look at how competitive they are with their siblings, as well. You're looking for quite a strong dog.' Dogs that don't make the cut might get routed to prison service or police duty. 'You can't place a dog with young kids that's nervous or that the temperament isn't 100%,' she said. Protection dogs are expensive The handful of K9 Protector dogs that reach 'high-threat environment' status cost up to 75,000 pounds ($100,000). It can take a couple of years to train for all sorts of scenarios. 'It's vast — the ability to deal with four intruders at once, vehicle carjacking tactics, being acceptant of multi-handlers,' Alaster Bly said. 'Husband, wife, nanny, housekeeper, estate manager all being able to handle that dog in an equal way in a threat scenario, and the dog still responding in the same way — is very different to a pet-level-trained dog with protection training.' Clients must be a good match, though. Sian Bly said if they think a buyer 'might use the dog in the wrong way, then we don't sell them the dog. It doesn't matter about the finances.' Between 10-15% of their clients are professional athletes and they typically require nondisclosure agreements, as do the actors and singers who come calling. They sell about two or three dogs per month. When the economy is bad and crime increases — demand is higher. Winter months see more sales and the pandemic period of 2020-21 was 'the busiest we've ever been,' Sian Bly said. UFC fighter Aspinall picks a German shepherd UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall added a protection dog to his family after moving to a new house. The Manchester native posted a video about it. 'I'm not here all the time. I just wanted someone else kind of looking after the family, as well as me, even when I'm here,' Aspinall said of his German shepherd. U.S. soccer midfielder Tyler Adams opted for a Rottweiler from Total K9, the North Yorkshire company that provided Aspinall's dog. Tottenham midfielder James Maddison got a 145-pound Cane Corso from Leicestershire-based Chaperone K9, which also counts Grealish as a client. Grealish's mansion was burglarized just after Christmas in 2023 while the Manchester City midfielder was playing a game at Everton. Family members called police when they heard noises and after Grealish's Belgian Malinois and Cockapoo reportedly started barking. Grealish later called it 'a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt.' Tips for home security The NBA memo urged removing online real estate listings that show interiors. Some stars post their protection dogs on social media along with the pets' names — but they probably shouldn't. 'There is nothing more off-putting to a dog than being called by its own name when you're breaking into the home,' Alaster Bly said. The Blys use German commands, which buyers must learn. On K9 Protector's website, former long-distance runner Mo Farah, a four-time Olympic champion, described turning to a protection dog after his home was burglarized despite an alarm system, video coverage and 24-hour security patrols. Intruders at Burrow's house eluded manned security at his property while he was playing a Monday Night Football game at Dallas in December. The criminal complaint on the Chilean crew said they liked to approach from 'a wooded or dark area.' Knowing the rules Under the UK's 'Guard Dogs Act,' someone capable of controlling a guard dog must be at the premises, and a notice must be posted at the entrance about the dog. Technically, there are scenarios that could result in criminal prosecution of dog owners in Britain — even in burglaries. The National Association of Security Dog Users 'does not promote the use of dogs as personal/family protection dogs and issues no certification or training courses in relation to this type of dog,' said Roger Flett, a NASDU director. Samantha Gaines of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warned against the 'glamorization' of painful ear-cropping on breeds like Doberman and Cane Corso. The procedure is prohibited in England and Wales, but it's legal to import them that way. UK burglaries are decreasing It's unknown if break-ins at wealthy homes are increasing, but statistics for England and Wales show residential burglaries overall are decreasing. From the year ending March 2018 to the year ending September 2024, there was a 42% drop, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics . Just a small percentage of burglaries get solved, however. Only in late 2022 did police chiefs commit to responding to all break-ins. Alaster Bly, a former police officer, said it's not just about burglaries. A CEO of a company might be facing a threat, or a person might be dealing with a stalker. 'There are life-changing incidents that take place regularly,' he said. 'The array of problems and crime that's going on in the UK at the moment keeps us busy.' ___ AP soccer:
