Lightning Strikes Right Away for Bolt

A 16-month-old German Shepherd named Bolt is already proving to be a valuable member of the Toronto Police Service after helping officers locate and arrest a man who ran from police and hid in a residential neighbourhood.

On the night of June 3 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Bolt was called to assist after reports of a stolen vehicle. The suspect fled on foot into a residential neighbourhood in 22 Division, with officers receiving information that the individual had entered several backyards.

While en route, Lisowski said dispatchers had done an excellent job establishing a perimeter, with officers quickly securing key locations.

As the search began, Bolt initially showed little interest. Moments later, however, he suddenly pulled his handler into a neighbouring backyard and focused intensely on two large garbage bins.

“At that point, he was really displaying the signs that he was in human odour, letting me know that's where the suspect was potentially hiding,” Lisowski said.

Bolt's nose proved correct.

The suspect was found hiding inside one of the garbage bins and was taken into custody without incident.

The successful arrest highlighted the importance of preserving a search area for police dogs. Bolt is trained to follow the freshest human scent, making it essential to limit contamination from other officers walking through the area.

“That's why when officers arrive on scene, it's best that they stay out of the backyard and let us do our thing," Lisowski explained. “When he's deployed, he's going to look for that freshest scent, and he's going to follow it right to the end.”

The general purpose police dog is trained in tracking, obedience, agility, property and evidence recovery, apprehension, handler protection and several other specialized skills.

He must recertify in approximately 11 different disciplines each year.

The young K9 was donated by David Sutton, a contribution officers say has made a significant impact.

“It was a great donation, which we were extremely thankful for,” Bolt's handler, Constable Kevin Lisowski, said. “A lot of money and time goes into training these dogs. Having someone donate the initial cost of the dog frees up money in the budget for other important needs across the service.”

The dog lives with his handler and responds to a wide range of calls, including fleeing suspects, stolen vehicles and missing persons.

Despite his demanding role, Bolt remains an enthusiastic working dog.

“He's a great partner,” his handler said. "I take him home every night. Coming to work is where his excitement is, and that's what he wants to do.”

The arrest serves as another example of the important role police service dogs play in locating suspects quickly and safely while supporting frontline officers.