A two-year-old German Shepherd has been on duty in St. Clair Township since last month and has even helped catch a criminal suspect, but now K-9 Rebel has been officially sworn to duty.

Columbiana County Judge Timothy McNichol administered the oath to Rebel this week.

Rebel didn’t raise his paw during the ceremony, but his handler Detective Keith Hilderbrand repeated the promise to support the Constitution for his partner.

The second of two K-9s protecting and serving the township, Rebel’s paw was pressed onto an ink pad and transferred to a document with the oath.

 

Judge McNichol said it was the first time he administered the oath to a four-legged police officer.

Rebel and Detective Hildebrand completed their training late last month.