V.w.verweij

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Rooney from U St/Shaw perfecting the art of napping…”

“Miss Kennedy over for a visit from her home in Columbia Heights (I was sitting her in Adams Morgan).”

“My peekapoo pup Ozzy in the snow in Brookland.”

At the end of the month, Arlington residents will be asked to spend a half hour counting the deer in their community.

Arlington’s Department of Parks and Recreation is organizing its first “Deer Day” on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Parks officials are attempting to take “a snapshot census of the deer population in Arlington.”

Arlington Natural Resources Manager Alonso Abugattas said if residents can “go to the nearest park” or just spend a half hour looking through their backyard and count the number of deer they observe, it will help Parks and Recreation officials estimate the number of deer in the county.

The deer census is conducted in line with the county’s Natural Resource Management Plan, according to Abugattas. Deer is just one of the species Parks and Recreation will attempt to inventory.

“It’s important to know what we have,” Abugattas told ARLnow.com in an email. “It’s a snap shot in time and will cover as many of our parks as possible, targeting some particularly sensitive natural areas in particular. These one-day snap shots in time will hopefully ensure we don’t count the same animals twice since we will be at multiple parks at the same time. We may repeat this exercise several times if we see that there is good participation and results.”

Abugattas said January is the best time for the exercise since there is less leaf cover and it gets darker earlier, so volunteers don’t have to be out as late. Abugattas said he will use “multiple methods over a long period of time” to try to get the most accurate county possible.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Themis, Capitol Hill. Checking out the snow and shaking her head @ OPM.”

“Benny at sunset in Adams Morgan”

“Bailey, Zoe, Baxter & Kodo
Brookland”

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Jack gets cozy with his little buddy in Logan Circle.”

“El in Petworth”

“Lucy deciding whether or not she wants to go outside on a cold morning, Capitol Hill”

Last week the phenomenal news came out that a 6 Screen Landmark movie theater was coming next to the 9:30 Club in Late 2015. Thanks to Atlantic Plumbing for sharing these new renderings.

More renderings after the jump.

Proposed legislation in the Virginia General Assembly would allow patrons of Arlington’s Trolley Pub to drink alcohol while on board.

Del. Patrick Hope (D-47) has introduced House Bill 423, which would allow passengers on vehicles with a common carrier — which would include limousines and motor coaches, in addition to the Trolley Pub — to consume alcohol.

The Trolley Pub in Arlington launched last year but has been unable to serve passengers alcoholic beverages, as it does in its original market of Raleigh, N.C. Instead, it stops at bars and restaurants in Clarendon and lets passengers debark to drink.

The Sun Gazette, which first reported on the bill, suggested that Hope’s legislation might not sit well with Arlington County Board members.

“Board members last year blasted the entire concept of the trolley pub, and only calmed down (slightly) when they learned that those using it could not consume alcohol,” the newspaper reported. “But they have remained upset about the human-powered trolley’s impact on traffic in one of Arlington’s most congested areas.”

The Trolley Pub debuted in Arlington in March, and at the time owner Kai Kaapro said he believed the business was “perfectly legal.” That was backed up by a preliminary police review. A ruling in April by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, however, later determined no alcohol could be served on board.

Drinking in a vehicle in Virginia is currently only legal on chartered boats. The bill was assigned to the General Laws committee and is now in subcommittee, according to the General Assembly’s website.

Photo via Facebook

“Shop Small” from around 8th and L Street, SE.

“Are you available for a vehicle search, 66 and 495, to assist state?” screeches the police radio.

Cpl. Dave Torpy with the Arlington County Police Department receives a call from dispatch regarding a potential drug situation in Fairfax County. He confirms he can respond to the mutual aid call and heads out to his car to join his partner waiting inside. But his is no ordinary partner. Torpy gets to work with Ozzie, one of ACPD’s K-9 members.

The two head to the scene and find state police waiting for them. State police had pulled over the driver of a truck who was spotted wrecking one of his front wheels when he crashed into a jersey barrier. The driver allegedly kept going until he was pulled over, and police suspected he was under the influence of some sort of substance. Torpy and Ozzie were requested from Arlington because no other K-9 teams were available in Fairfax.

Torpy walks Ozzie to the vehicle and indicates places to sniff by leading his hand close to, but not touching, certain areas. He explains that officers are not allowed to search inside a vehicle without a warrant, but the law allows the investigation of the vehicle’s perimeter. Should a K-9 partner “hit” on a scent of drugs wafting from inside the vehicle to the outside, that’s considered probable cause and officers may perform a full search.

He points out areas where dogs often pick up drug scents emanating from inside, such as along door cracks or crevices in the vehicle body. But Ozzie doesn’t need any leading and pulls Torpy to a different portion of the vehicle. Ozzie stands up on the side of the truck bed, scratching and emitting low growls.

The multiple instances of scratching and barking are exactly what police look for; those actions are what the dogs are trained to do when they smell drugs. That is the permission police need to open this particular vehicle for probable cause and to continue their search.

Ozzie is allowed inside the vehicle and he repeatedly sniffs and scratches at the sun visors and along cracks around the door. Torpy explains those are two common places for suspects to stash drugs quickly when they’re getting pulled over by police.

When it’s clear that Ozzie smells something out of the ordinary, he’s led back to the ACPD cruiser to wait. It’s now time for humans to take over and to continue the search for illicit substances. Once humans enter the equation, dogs typically are not brought back in. Humans searching for items might spread the scent from a “hot” area to places where nothing was hidden. Bringing in a dog at that point could yield, for example, a dozen hits in a vehicle that previously only had one.

“He really likes this vehicle,” Torpy said. “He paid attention to the open window a lot and actually barked and scratched along the seams. If you weren’t initially looking for dope, you wouldn’t necessarily look at the seams. But his nose took us there so we can search further.”

Ozzie, a Belgian Malinois, is one of the nine dogs in ACPD’s K-9 unit. Seven are “dual purpose” or patrol dogs that assist with building searches, evidence recovery, criminal apprehension and narcotics detection. Two are trained solely to detect explosives; one bomb detection dog belongs to a crime scene agent and the other belongs to a school resource officer.

Most of the dogs are purchased from reputable breeders in Europe, but the two bomb dogs were rescues. One was adopted from a shelter in Loudoun County and the other was donated by a family that could no longer care for the dog.

Sgt. John McCarthy is also a dog handler and supervises the K-9 unit. McCarthy goes out on calls with his partner, Charly, just like all the other K-9 unit members, but he also oversees the unit’s operations. He handles scheduling, helps with handler and dog hiring, and purchases supplies like food and toys.

Prior to his appointment in 2007, the department did not have a supervisor for the unit. Arlington County Police Chief M. Douglas Scott was instrumental in adding the position and with expanding the K-9 unit to allow for nearly 24-7 police dog coverage.

“When I was doing a review of the units, I saw at the time we only had four dogs. They were not really a full unit they were just on squads,” said Scott. “I didn’t think it was an effective way to run the program.”

Scott joined the department in 2003 and approved the addition of two dual purpose dogs in 2004, two bomb detecting dogs in 2006, and McCarthy’s supervisory position including a dog in 2007.

“We’ve done it all gradually by converting existing positions,” said Scott. “I didn’t want to be going to the County Manager or County Board asking to add new positions. I made the case internally and started the expansion that way.”

The current price of a police dog runs around $7,000 plus the cost of continuous training. Those working in the unit, along with Chief Scott, believe it’s a wise investment.

“K-9 to me has always been something I would describe as a force multiplier. Their ability to get in and search a building, do a track, is so much better than using multiple officers or for officers to be doing a blind search. They’ve proven themselves time and time again,” Scott said. “It’s well worth the investment.”

In 2013, the ACPD K-9 unit responded to 495 calls in Arlington County and 27 mutual aid calls in neighboring jurisdictions. The dogs helped apprehend 22 criminals, found narcotics in 26 vehicles or residences and found narcotics 23 times during sweeps of packages at United States Postal Service facilities.

Back at the station, Torpy demonstrates how the dogs are motivated by “toy time.” He holds out one of Ozzie’s pull toys and the dog stares at the item, wide-eyed and unflinching. Time and again he wrestles with the toy, fetches it and begs for it to be thrown down the hall. It’s quite obvious why the department uses toy rewards instead of food incentives, with the exception of one K-9 that has no interest in the toys.

“What’s in it for them is really why they work. Why else would they work to find hidden drugs? Because at the end of finding hidden drugs they get a toy. If they didn’t get anything they may not work for us,” Torpy said. “Here’s the great thing about dogs, they don’t know what’s illegal. They don’t know what’s bad. They don’t know that heroin can kill you, they don’t know any of that stuff. All they know is ‘I’ve been taught to find the heroin smell and if I find the heroin smell, Dave gets really happy and sometimes he gives me treats.’”

But just as quickly as Ozzie switched into play mode, he snaps right back into work mode. With one word from Torpy, Ozzie immediately drops his toy. With another, the dog begins tracking down the halls of the department wherever Torpy points.

Dogs begin training typically around the age of 12 to 18 months and are allowed a couple of weeks to bond with their handler before the team undergoes 14 weeks of extensive training. The training regimen continues throughout the team’s career.

Torpy designs the training sessions that are held every Wednesday. Sometimes the whole team trains together and other times they break into their bomb or narcotics groups for more specialized training.

The K-9 unit holds much of its training during overnight hours because it allows the dogs to practice their skills in the field without the distraction of people on the streets. Compare, for example, a dog trying to track its target when the streets are relatively empty at midnight, versus a target rich environment during rush hour.

“The dog is trained to follow the freshest human scent, he can’t compartmentalize and say that’s bad guy smell versus good guy smell,” said McCarthy. “So at midnight there’s a better chance of him tracking his target.”

Dogs also receive training during the day to keep their skills in crowds sharp and to keep them up to speed in a variety of situations.

Although the dogs receive most of the public attention, they’re not the only ones being put through the wringer. The human handlers have just as much training and are held to high standards by the department. McCarthy said he uses a discerning eye when interviewing officers for a handler spot, and requires a fairly seasoned officer who has worked at least a couple of different jobs within the department. He particularly gravitates toward candidates who exhibit “maturity and stability.”

“I want someone who knows their way around the county and the department, because at some point in this job there will be tough times,” McCarthy said. “Whether it’s the dog’s health, or the dog not responding to the handler, or some other problem, it’s very physically and mentally demanding. We look for people who are stable and mature. It’s a great group of people we have.”

Just as with any physically demanding job, the dogs do sometimes become injured while on duty or during training. No dogs with ACPD have had any major, life-threatening injuries in the line of duty. They do, however, sometimes sustain cuts, broken toes or damaged teeth. That’s when it’s time for a trip to one of the vets the department has a contract with.

“They’re kind of like athletes, they get hurt. We treat them with medicine or rest,” said McCarthy. “There’s a lot of time invested in the training of the dogs. Their health and well-being is a huge part of our lives.”

At times, injuries may force the dogs to take off for a few weeks. They still maintain all their training knowledge despite extended days away from work.

“It’s amazing when you’re new you’re very fearful your dog will unlearn everything he’s learned. After the countless repetitions you do in that 14 weeks and throughout your career, the dog is a finished product and they know the cues as well as you do,” said McCarthy. “If I’m in my car and I go to put his harness on, he knows pretty much what we’re going to do. I almost don’t have to give him a command.”

The breeds that work as police dogs — at ACPD that’s mostly the Belgian Malinois or German Shepherds — are chosen because they have a very high drive and are highly obedient.

“We’re really cueing off their innate dispositions to hunt. That’s in them genetically,” McCarthy said. “We just modified it, motivated them and tweaked it to what we want them to do. It’s just taking that natural drive they have and we’re tuning it.”

Despite the instinct to hunt, the dogs are not vicious. They’re gentle and loyal and only attack if commanded to by a handler.

“I think they make us a much more effective agency. I think the vision some people have of the snarling German Shepherd, the very intimidating, I have not seen our dogs used in that way for my entire time here, for that intimidation factor,” said Scott. “I think that goes to the training we provide to our officers and the documentation that goes along with that level of force, to make sure it is done in a proper and procedural way.”

The dogs are also known for being incredibly protective of their handlers and becoming quickly attached.

“One of the biggest challenges in K-9 is that it’s 24-7 for the handlers and their family,” Scott said. “This tool goes home with them and needs proper care and attention. That’s quite a commitment on the officer’s part to accept that responsibility.”

McCarthy agreed with Scott’s assessment of the challenge, adding that the dogs living with their handlers is probably the most surprising aspect to the public.

“People are very surprised they [the dogs] live with us as a pet when they’re off duty. But I think that’s how most jurisdictions do that. I think in the public’s mind there’s some sort of special kennel system where we leave them, but they live with us,” said McCarthy. “That’s a hard part of it, your work is always with you. It’s even looking at you in the middle of the night when it has to go to the bathroom.”

Because of the intense bond shared between the members of the K-9 teams, handlers take it rather hard on the rare occasions when one of the dogs dies during its time on the force. Such was the case last year when Dutch came down with a rare, fatal illness. Fortunately, most of the dogs meet a more pleasant retirement once they’re deemed unfit for work. Failing senses — such as eyesight or hearing — typically proves to be the harbinger of retirement. ACPD allows the handlers to adopt their retired dogs for free if they so choose.

“It’s a very rewarding job. It’s been a great time for me,” said McCarthy. “It’s my last job in this department. My dog is eight years old, he and I are both getting older. We’ll retire together.”

919 U Street, NW

“El Rey, the highly anticipated Mexican beer garden located at 919 U Street NW will officially open Friday, January 10 at 5pm. The 3,100 square foot space built almost entirely out of shipping containers is the first construction in Washington to use the colorful steel boxes in a substantive way. El Rey also features a spacious back patio that is covered (and uncovered) by a retractable roof and a U Street-facing takeout window. El Rey’s menu highlights tacos and tequila as well as a selection of Mexican and South American brews.”

Check out the menu here:

El Rey menu (PDF)

I stopped by for a preview last night and I think the doubters will be pleasantly surprised. Not only are the tacos delicious but the space is very cool. And warm! I couldn’t believe how well the heaters worked. This is an incredibly good addition to compliment Dodge City and Velvet Lounge.

Lots more photos after the jump.

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

When becoming a member of the PoPville flickr pool please make sure your settings allow me to download your photos. Join the PoPville flickr pool here and follow PoPville on twitter here on facebook here and you can now sign up for daily email summaries here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Loki the Beagle from Mt. Vernon Triangle”

“This is Furry, she lives in Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights (16th St Corridor). I think the green crate really complements her tuxedo coat!”

“Have you ever seen an albino squirrel before? I was running on Upshur over by 17th street and had to stop to take a picture. I thought it was a bunny… but no!”

A new documentary that focuses on the efforts of the Lucky Dog Animal Rescue organization will hold its premiere at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) later this month.

The Lucky Ones will premiere at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. Tickets are $10 and the proceeds will be donated to Lucky Dog, which is the subject of the film and was involved in its creation, but did not supply funding, according to adoption coordinator Kristy Buechner.

According to Lucky Dog’s website:

The film centers around our vast network of volunteers and partner facilities. It follows the long journey that many homeless animals take to find their forever homes. It begins in the shelters and on the streets and follows the dogs until they find their forever homes. The film is a documentary not just about the animals but also about the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers who touch their lives in that journey.

The Lucky Ones was produced by Alexandria-based Creative Liquid Productions and directed by its founder, Ryan Pratzel, a former producer for Rosslyn-based WJLA. It was filmed on location in South Carolina and Puerto Rico, where Lucky Dog helps to rescue dogs from the streets and shelters, and the D.C. area., where the the organization finds homes for the dogs.

Editor’s Note: The Arlington Pet of the Week feature will return next week.

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Bailey, Petworth – not amused with her new holiday head gear!!”

“Oliver wrapping Christmas gifts in Georgetown”

“Frank the “Reindeer” from Glover Park”

duncanthebulldog:

2013, whoa! It was my first full year on this planet. Here are some highlights.

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Jake from Adams Morgan”

“My Brother’s Dog, Scout from Ft. Lewis – supporting all servicemen and women across the country!”

“Cinnamonopteryx and Hazelnutmeg, enjoying some morning sunshine and the proximity of a few unwary starlings. In Brightwood Park.”

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 3-4 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit.

“Pippa, our new 10 week old Airedale Terror (not terrier!) puppy finally passed out! H Street NE”

“Bart enjoying the island life, Colonial Beach, VA”

“This is Ginger, from Mount Pleasant, honoring Lincoln.”

Arlington is one of the most LGBT-friendly places in the country, according to The Advocate. The county has come in at number 10 on the magazine’s list of “Gayest Cities in America.”

Although it may seem surprising that Arlington would be ranked above areas with larger gay populations, such as San Francisco and New York City, it might make more sense when considering the non-traditional scoring process. The list compilers even note they looked for “hidden factors that give a city its queer cred” and that “It’s not all piano bars, gender-specific music festivals, and giant disco houses.”

Arlington scored low in a number of categories such as “Lesbian couple-headed households” and “Mariah Carey concert dates” but picked up a point for having a nearby Gay Rodeo association. Arlington also picked up three points for having gay local elected officials and 0.1 points for having gay state elected officials.

Additionally, The Advocate noted that Arlington is home to “popular gay bar and brunch spot Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant and gay-popular divey beer bar Galaxy Hut.”

The top three regions on the magazine’s list were Washington, DC; Pasadena, CA; and Seattle, WA. The full list can be found on The Advocate’s website.

Image via Wikipedia