MANSFIELD — K9 Maxx is back and ready to take a bite out of crime.
Literally.
The Mansfield Police Department canine officer and his handler, office Dylan Stephenson, were in attendance Tuesday as City Council voted to accept a $5,473 grant to pay for the dog’s emergency dental surgery.
The jet-black Belgian Malinois stood — also sat and layed — quietly in council chambers as Stephenson explained what happened to four-legged partner who joined the MPD nearly two years ago.
“K9 Maxx and I were on night shift. I try to train as much as I can to make Maxx a better dog for the city, so he can produce and be successful,” said Stephenson, who joined the MPD in 2021.
(Below are photos from Mansfield City Council on Tuesday of Mansfield police K9 officer Maxx and his handler, officer Dylan Stephenson.)
K9 Maxx is dual-purpose dog, trained in patrol duties and narcotics/article searches. The MPD has two K9 teams.
“We ended up doing some narcotic exercises. He ended up missing the (training) ball because he was getting a little excited to get his ball … and he ended up hitting (his mouth) off of the narcotic boxes that we use,” Stephenson said.
“He ended up chipping his canine (tooth) on the left side and we took him down to Hilliard, to have surgery done.
“They found out that one of his incisors was broken, so my brother who’s a canine handler, in South Portland, Maine, told me that there was a grant (available) from the National Police Dog Foundation.
“I want to save our (K9) unit as much money as we can, because our unit’s donation and grant funded,” Stephenson said.
The officer applied for the grant and it was approved.
“(The foundation) is based out in California, so they love (K9 officers). Everybody loves police dogs, obviously they’re awesome tools,” Stephenson said.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meier, chair of the safety committee, asked Stephenson about a grant he obtained last year from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
That organization donated a bullet- and stab-proof vest K9 Maxx can wear while on patrol with Stephenson.
Maxx wore the vest when he visited City Council on Tuesday evening.
“This is actually the vest,” Stephenson said. “They can help with donating equipment, tools, even vehicles. My brother also helped me with finding (the organization).
“I also put in for a grant for that because this vest is stab proof and bulletproof because Maxx and I go into some situations that are pretty dangerous. He obviously has to be protected just like I am, and we want make sure that he goes home safe, just like I do,” Stephenson said.
Meier praised Stephenson’s efforts.
“You are the kind of officer that exemplifies exactly what we’re looking for in this department. Somebody who takes the initiative to go above and beyond and getting these kinds of grants and things for your partner. We certainly appreciate it,” Meier said.
MPD Chief Jason Bammann agreed, saying Stephenson puts in extra time training with his partner.
“Absolutely,” the chief said. “I’m pretty fortunate to have the canine teams that I have.
“I can tell you Maxx is by far one of the top performing canines in the history of this police department and again that is a a direct tribute to officer Stephenson. As you saw, he’s here because they were out doing extra training when this incident occurred,” Bammann said.
“And anybody would like to touch that titanium tooth, I’m sure that Maxx won’t mind,” he said with a laugh.
2nd Ward Councilman Michael Miranda thanked Stephenson, as well.
“What you do in itself is admirable, but to take that extra effort and have that kind love for your partner,” he said.
6th Ward Councilwoman Deborah Mount also thanked Stephenson.
“Thank you for doing that. Also, I’m so glad that he was able to get that surgery right away and not have to wait on this (grant) coming through. Best of luck to him in the future,” she said.
