Meet Ardie, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office new bomb detection German Shepherd

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is adding a new member to help stop crime. The county has a new explosives device K9, named Ardie. The German Shepherd is from Hungary and specializes in bomb detection.

Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said Ardie is a jack-of-all-trades puppy. “He is specially trained in tracking, building searches, and handler protection. He’s a valuable part of our family and an asset to Worcester County as a whole.”

The 1-and-a-half-year-old puppy was in a kennel in Pennsylvania. Officers drove the 8-hour trip to meet the dog. Sheriff Crisafulli considered many options for Ardie’s handler. He finally decided on Deputy First Class Kenji Hara, who believes Ardie is an ideal match.

“We finally picked him out, and he was the perfect fit. He has the right temperament for a guy like myself.”

DFC Hara and Ardie then traveled to South Carolina to complete a 6-week explosive canine handler program. The officer and dog work side by side to protect schools, public buildings, and event venues. DFC Hara enjoys the special bond he has created with Ardie and is confident the German Shepherd will deliver safety effectively.

“He is starting to figure out how home is home, where you relax, get affection, and where you’re a family member. But at work, he knows he has a job to do.”

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will bring Ardie to upcoming events. There, you can meet the K9 and get his special training card.