So how did a Stanislaus sheriff’s K-9 and his handler fare on national TV?
Kuma the K-9 fell short in Wednesday night’s episode of “America’s Top Dog.”
He and his handler, Deputy Michael Victorino of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, faced four other teams on the A&E Network show.
It tests them on agility, scent detection and other skills. Victorino’s installment, a preliminary round, was taped last June near Los Angeles.
Kuma did well on the agility tests that kicked off the episode, including jumping over fences, crossing a rope bridge and splashing through water. He lost time on scent detection – five hidden items that smelled like guns and ammunition.
“We had a good time ... happy to be here and happy to meet all these guys,” Victorino told sideline reporter Jamie Little after he was eliminated.
A team from Whitfield County, Georgia, won the round.
The 10-week show debuted Jan. 8 and has new episodes at 9 p.m. every Wednesday. 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, 28, has been with the Sheriff’s Department for seven years. Kuma, 7, is a Dutch shepherd with five years on the force. They showed off their skills for The Modesto Bee at the K-9 training course last month.
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 10:25 PM.
