Officer Reyes is adopting Pita
Pita, a K-9 at California Rehabilitation Center (CRC), is receiving praise and plenty of treats, retiring from duty in February.
Pita and her handler, Officer Christopher Reyes, graduated CDCR’s K-9 Academy on July 26, 2018.
“Officer Pita performed her duties well, bringing credit and respectability to the department’s K-9 program. She is a respected and loved member of the CRC family,” said Warden Glen E. Pratt.
Retiring K-9 Pita, a 10-year-old Malinois, will not be far from her handler. Officer Reyes is adopting Pita, allowing him to continue caring for his four-legged partner.
“Officer Pita will be missed as she moves on to another chapter of her life,” said Warden Pratt.
Pita assisted in contraband searches through the state, helping maintain institutional safety and security.
In June 2021, Pita took home first place for narcotics detection in a building at the Murrieta Police K-9 trials.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” said Reyes. “Not only has she made me a better K-9 handler, she made me a better person too.”
What is the CDCR K-9 program?
CDCR uses specially trained dogs that can detect cell phones and narcotics in prisons. There are 49 canine teams, with 14 trained to detect contraband cell phones. Canine searches are scheduled randomly at institutions throughout the state. In addition, the units provide assistance to CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations, specifically with the Parolee Apprehension Teams, during their operations to locate fugitive parolees in the community.
K-9 teams also assist local law enforcement agencies, conducting searches of suspected drug houses during search warrant operations. Dogs train at least eight hours each week. They also train monthly, conducted by the Statewide Canine Coordinator, ensuring the dogs are up to standards.
Learn more about CDCR’s K-9 programs.
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