Watch CBS News

'Breaking Some Ground Here': Rescue Pit Bull From Dogfighting Ring Officially Arson Detective In South Jersey

MILLVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- A rescue dog making history in South Jersey is reaching another milestone. Pit bull Hansel, who was rescued from a dogfighting ring, graduated from 16 weeks of training as an arson detective on Friday.

That makes Hansel a K9 officer now, even though pit bulls aren't typically arson dogs.

"We're going to be breaking some ground here. But the proof is in the training. They say he's a natural, took right to it, passed all his exams," Millville Fire Chief Michael Lippincott said.

hansel k9
(Credit: CBS3)

"He's my partner, I love him to the very end. I will stand by him, I trust him 100%," firefighter Tyler Van Leer said.

Hansel completed about a dozen searches on each day of his training. He is certified on 14 different accelerants.

He's now a full-fledged member of the Millville Fire Department.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.