Tune in to see Stanislaus sheriff’s K-9 team compete on ‘America’s Top Dog’ this week
Set your DVRs and ready your “atta boys.” A team from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is set to compete on “America’s Top Dog” this week.
Deputy Michael Victorino and his K-9 partner Kuma will appear in an installment airing at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the A&E Network. The reality competition tests dogs and their police or civilian handlers thought a series of K-9 challenges.
Victorino and Kuma have been partners for five years in the Sheriff’s Department. Last June, they went to the Los Angeles area to film their segment.
During each episode, four police teams and one civilian team compete by running an obstacle course, detecting scents and apprehending a training suspect. The 10-episode series began airing Jan. 8. Each week’s winner gets $10,000, plus $5,000 to donate to an animal charity. The finals have a $25,000 grand prize.
Victorino told The Modesto Bee last month he felt Kuma was well-suited for the show.
“He’s very good with obedience and the agility equipment, so I wasn’t too worried,” he said.
In a preview clip of the episode, Victorino discusses a time Kuma apprehended crossbow-wielding suspects, potentially saving his and other deputies’ lives. But it also reveals that the 7-year-old Dutch shepherd has a “lazy side” when off duty at home.
“But as soon as it’s time to go to work, he’s alert and ready to go,” Victorino said. “Kuma’s not here to play. He’s here to win.”
This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 1:07 PM.
