MASON — The new K9 police dog in town has definitely earned his keep during his first year of employment, having uncovered more than $74,000 in cash in drug busts across the region.

“Akih’s been involved in narcotic searches that resulted in that cash being located,” said Police Chief Barry Hutchins during an interview Tuesday. Akih’s most recent drug bust took place in New Ipswich, on July 15, when the K9 was instrumental in finding several ounces of marijuana, two plastic sandwich bags filled with hallucinogenic mushrooms and an undisclosed amount of hashish in an Amherst man’s vehicle.

Hutchins said Akih is a superior K9 because of his breeding.

“He’s a Belgian Malinois,” said Hutchins. “They’re one of the most-used dogs for police.”

Although they look a lot like German shepherds — the other breed most commonly used by police departments — the Belgian Malinois packs similar strength and agility into a lighter frame.

“There’s no comparison,” said Hutchins, between the two purebreds. “Belgian Malinois have a longer life expectancy than German sherpherds and they’re known for being less prone to diseases.” The Belgian Malinois also has a drive, according to Hutchins, that’s unparalleled in other dogs. “If I sent him out to look for something, he will search all night until I stop him,” said Hutchins. “He just won’t quit.”

According to Hutchins, Akih has been a member of the Mason Police Department since June 2009. He was sought out as a replacement for K9 Hunter, the previous police dog in town, who at eight years of age has been retired from his duties.

“Hunter was older and he had some medical conditions,” said Hutchins, who had bonded with Hunter, who lived in his home, and was treated as part of the family.

Today Hunter is happily enjoying life as a civilian, living with Mason Police secretary Rose Lyons.

“I thought they would make a good match,” said Hutchins. “Hunter’s a very obedient pet.”

When the time came to find a new police dog, Hutchins said he sought out an Auburn, Mass., police officer named Jimmy Lundgren. “He imports police K9s. We knew going through him that the dog would have already been OK’d for police work,” said Hutchins, because Lundgren puts the dogs he works with through several screenings to determine its confidence level. “They test [the dogs] to see how they walk on different sources like linoleum floors, bathtubs, stairs and water,” said Hutchins. How a dog approaches transitions from one surface to another is a key indicator of confidence, according to K9 dog experts.

Since his arrival in Mason, Hutchins said Akih has been kept very busy, both with official K9 police dog training, and on-the-job-training.

“We get numerous requests from other police departments,” said Hutchins, explaining many surrounding towns do not have K9 police dogs on their forces. Hutchins said while he’d like to respond to all calls outside of Mason, he has to be selective.

“I have to basically screen the requests,” said Hutchins. “There are a number of requests that I get, but I just can’t do it.”

There are two reasons Hutchins said he has to be selective when getting requests for Akih’s assistance from other police departments. “Obviously, Mason takes priority over the other towns,” said Hutchins, but then there’s time and cost for him to consider, as Hutchins never charges other towns for his services as Akih’s handler. “I’m doing it on my own time,” said Hutchins, who wouldn’t mind if other police departments offered to pay something for his and Akih’s services. “I’m not looking for the other towns to pay me directly,” he said, “but outside funding is always appreciated.”

According to Hutchins, the town of Mason must pay for Akih’s upkeep with regard to costs like food and veterinary services.

As the newest addition of the Hutchins household, Hutchins said Akih is treated a little differently because his personality is more focused on the job than on play.

“He doesn’t have quite as free a rein as Hunter did,” said Hutchins, adding that because Akih’s drive is so high, he needs to be watched a little more attentively while at home. “He’s an extremely loving dog, but work is first and it’s very apparent with him. That’s the way it needs to be. He’s not a pet. He’s a tool for the Mason Police Department.”