Yoda, Danelo Cavalcante.Photo:US Customs and Border Protection; Pennsylvania Department of Corre/AFP via Getty
US Customs and Border Protection; Pennsylvania Department of Corre/AFP via Getty
Police finally capturedDanelo Cavalcantethis week, after the escaped fugitive spent nearly two weeks on the run. And it turns out, a canine is among the many to thank for his apprehension.
The dog was none other than Yoda, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, who had originally been part of the BORTAC K9 unit with the U.S. Border and Customs Patrol in El Paso, Texas, according toThe Philadelphia Inquirer.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark told theAssociated Pressthat the dog had initially bitten Cavalcante’s scalp before latching his teeth on the escaped convict’s thigh, “at which time, Cavalcante submitted.”
Danelo Cavalcante.Chester County Prison via AP
Chester County Prison via AP
“I think he was in pain at that point,” he added. “He was probably in excruciating pain.”
Cavalcante had been unable to fire off thefirearm he stoleon Monday evening from a local residence and no shots were fired, Bivens said, while also noting that law enforcement officers were not injured in the capture.
Bivens noted, per ABC News, that the tactical team did not use lethal force on the fugitive because, “that option is only to prevent the escape of a very dangerous individual.” He added, “Had they not been able to contain him, that would have remained an option."
He also noted at the press conference per theInquirer, that police K-9 dogs play “a very important role” in subduing targets. He said the canines are trained to only attack once and will release their targets on command, so it was a favorable option for police.
Danelo Cavalcante.PA State Police/Facebook
PA State Police/Facebook
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Belgian Malinois are often used to assist law enforcement officers for K-9 operations around the country, the outlet said. The breed can also be found in the White House’s Secret Service. Notably, in 2014, two Belgian Malinois with the secret servicebrought down a White House intruder, who had climbed over the gates.
TheAmerican Kennel Clubdescribes the breed as smart, confident, and versatile who are “built to work hard for their feed.” The Belgian Malinois can grow up to 26 inches and weigh between 40-80 lbs. Their life expectancy is between 14-16 years old.
source: people.com
