A tiny black puppy stretched her legs as runners gathered near the start line of the 2024 Lobster Festival 5K and 10K races.

Freya, just that morning, had been swept into the custodial arms of Rockland Police Department, and within twenty minutes, she was on the job, helping to divert northbound traffic around the annual run, which begins with a jaunt up Downtown Main Street.

She was ready to see the world, and with time, she will. One day this puppy will be called upon to track, recover evidence, and detect narcotics. But, at the tender age of three months old on August 4, 2024, she was still learning the basics, such as eating from handler Officer Tim Davis’ palm, and sitting for a camera.

Unlike her predecessor Marek, whose adoption required a relocation of almost 100 miles from Weld, Maine, Freya is a local girl, hailing from Owls Head and Mill Pond Retrievers LLC, owned by David Eaton. Knowing of Marek’s age and looming health concerns, Davis initially reached out to Eaton to inquire about prices as a way to provide details to the City in his proposal for a new K9. But, as luck would have it, Eaton had a three-month-old puppy and a desire to give back to the town he grew up in. Freya became a donation; Rockland PD is forever grateful.

“Dave gave us a wonderful dog with amazing working lines,” said Davis, a month later.

Marek accumulated 260 deployments (requests for K9 service) in his first two work years with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and has kept on going. But now, after about a year with Rockland PD, he is showing his 7-year-old age in his hips.

He is semi-retired now, having ceased doing patrol work, where he acted as wing-dog and was the backseat driver while Davis worked every shift. He will no longer do tracking or assist in criminal apprehension. Yet, he is still a Detection Dog and will continue with drug searches and evidence searches. 

“When it comes time for him to fully retire, I will buy him from the City for $1, and he will live out the rest of his days with my family and me at home,” said Davis.

Maine requires a certain number of hours that canines must attend training before they take a field test and are certified. Freya is anticipated to complete training in just under a year, focusing first on tracking and evidence searching, and then narcotics detection.

“Freya has already started going to training and is doing well,” said Davis.

So, we hope to see Freya soon, picking up where Marek leaves off, assisting with detection of narcotics and fleeing suspects. 

And sitting for the camera.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com