WHEELING — A new furry companion has joined the Wheeling Police Department’s ranks, with Virgil the Belgian Malinois entering the K9 Unit with his handler, Corporal Ryan Moore.

Virgil is trained and certified in narcotics detection and patrol, which includes tracking, apprehension and searching.

“He can find someone if they are lost,” said Moore on his skills. “He’s also a narcotics dog that can detect methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.”

The Wheeling Police Department acquired the 20-month-old Virgil from Merry K9 Services, meaning he is already “60% to 70% trained,” according to Moore. K9 team leader Jason Moore added that Virgil’s training began “when he opened his eyes” and will continue “throughout his entire career.”

Virgil will work alongside three other K9 units, training five to six hours a week to stay sharp and focused while on the job.

“We want to give back to the community by making sure these dogs are well-trained to get drugs and explosives off the streets,” said Jason Moore. “These dogs play a key role in making sure that events are safe for the public to attend.”

Virgil’s last six weeks of training were dedicated to becoming comfortable and acquainted with his handler. Moore taught Virgil various verbal commands and safety techniques and the two worked through scenarios to detect various types of illegal drugs together.

Originally applying for the K9 unit last fall because of his passion for narcotics and narcotics investigation, Moore admitted that before meeting Virgil he “wasn’t an animal person at all.” However, once he met the dog, Moore fell in love with Virgil’s “dedication while on the job” and his “outgoing personality.”

“When I got him I just took to him really quickly, and he took to me really quickly,” said Moore. “The training instructor would try to walk him, and Virgil would just look at me and sit down.”

Moore says his life “revolves around Virgil,” as everything from “feeding him to taking him out” he has to do. With all the time they’ve spent together, Moore believes the trust the two have in each other is “already amazing,” and he is excited to see the bond between them grow in the future.

“I like to say he’s the best K9, but I may be a little bit biased,” joked Moore. “Virgil doesn’t ask for anything in return from me for his work except his toy.”

While Virgil’s career is just getting started, Moore explained that at the end of the dog’s service, he will become his pet and get to “eat lots of pup cups.”

“I believe Virgil has unbound potential,” added Moore. ‘So I look forward to raising and training him while learning new things from him.”