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Skittish Police Dog Fired by Force in Cannon Beach, Oregon

A 2-year-old Belgian Malinois was supposed to be the ninth member of this coastal town's police force, but "Cash" just didn't have what it takes.
In this photo taken Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, the badge of Correctional K-9 , Caesar, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, is seen on the dog at a training facility in Galt, Calif. Caesar is one of five dogs specially trained to sniff out cell phones that have been smuggled into California prisons.
In this photo taken Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, the badge of Correctional K-9 , Caesar, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, is seen on the dog at a training facility in Galt, Calif. Caesar is one of five dogs specially trained to sniff out cell phones that have been smuggled into California prisons.Rich Pedroncelli / AP, file
/ Source: The Associated Press

CANNON BEACH, Ore. — A 2-year-old Belgian Malinois was supposed to be the ninth member of this coastal town's police force, but "Cash" just didn't have what it takes. The dog was dismissed before seeing any action.

Cash was skittish, afraid of heights and had a barking problem. Noises would scare him. When he had to jump onto counters in search of drugs, he showed too much resistance. He would often bark aggressively rather than go straight to the drugs. Barking is "fine as an alert, but you can't get anything done when you're trying to get him to find dope and he's just barking in your face," Officer Josh Gregory, the dog's former handler, told the Daily Astorian. Cash was returned to his original owner and the Cannon Beach Police Department is searching for a replacement. They're looking for a "ball-crazy, happy, wanting-to-work dog," said Gregory. The department acquired Cash after raising $27,000 for the K-9 officer program earlier this year.

IN-DEPTH

- The Associated Press