Seabrook police officer finds new partner in K9 Hunter

SEABROOK — Seabrook police Officer Tyler Houldsworth has a new partner in his patrol car. His name is Hunter, and “he has big paws to fill.”

Just four months ago, Houldsworth lost his partner and buddy, seven-year-old Belgian Shepherd Henry, who had served the police and residents of Seabrook since 2017. Henry died suddenly on March 22 from an extremely aggressive form of leukemia.

Despite his grief, Houldsworth, with the support of his wife Alysha and his department, quickly headed to a breeder in Oxbridge, Massachusetts, to pick up an 11-month-old Belgian Malinois puppy named Hunter.

Houldsworth and Hunter began 14 weeks of training at the Boston Police Canine Academy on April 1, and completed their first official patrol together on the Fourth of July weekend.

“The first few weeks were tough,” Houldsworth said. “But it helped a little bit to get back to basics with Hunter.”

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Houldsworth admits that it was difficult for him to lose Henry, but that the department was very supportive.

The department management also supports the continuation of the K9 program, he said.

“When Henry died, we talked to Tyler to see what he wanted to do,” said Seabrook Police Chief Brett Walker. “After losing Henry, we wanted to give him as much time as he needed to decide.”

“They told me if I didn’t want to do it again, they would understand; they would find another officer,” Houldsworth said. “If I did, they said I could take as much time as I needed before finding a new dog. They were great.”

Before making his decision, Houldsworth went home to discuss it with his wife, as there was a lot to consider when having a police dog in the family. The Houldsworths had just found out they were expecting their first child in November, and they also had another dog, Haven, to consider. Most importantly, having a police dog in the home imposes certain restrictions on a family.

“Once you have a working dog, it’s a way of life,” Houldsworth said.

With his wife’s consent, their only condition was that the new dog would be trained and acclimated to its new surroundings before the baby was born.

After Walker agreed, Houldsworth contacted the Boston Police Canine Academy in search of a suitable dog. On March 29, just a week after Henry’s death, Houldsworth picked up his new partner. Two days later, both were at the academy to begin the 14-week intensive police dog training program.

According to Walker, the purchase of Hunter was a $9,000 investment, most of which came from cash seized by Seabrook police during the arrest of various criminals, such as drug dealers and traffickers.

Houldsworth has already set up Henry’s heated outdoor kennel for Hunter, and the Boston Police Canine Academy is free. Money for annual grooming and feeding has already been budgeted and is earmarked for Henry.

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According to Houldsworth, Hunter has passed certification for all patrol functions: pursuit, apprehension, evidence recovery, building search and handler protection. He said he is undecided whether he will pursue additional certifications in explosives or drug detection.

“Hunter is still a puppy at heart,” said Houldsworth. “He was the youngest dog in the class. He does puppy walks every now and then, but we’ve settled in. Once Hunter clicks, he’s right there.”

In terms of character, Hunter is a completely different dog than Henry, said Houldsworth.

“Henry was one of a kind,” Houldsworth said. “He could do the (police) job, but Henry really just wanted to make you happy.”

Houldsworth said Henry’s wagging tail won the hearts of most people he met, except perhaps the criminals he arrested. He got along wonderfully with the Houldsworth family dog and also won the affection of his veterinarian’s staff and some Seabrook councilors.

Hunter is also social, Houldsworth said, but in a different way.

“Hunter is a bundle of energy,” said Houldsworth. “He’s strong and super motivated. Above all, he wants to do his job.”

Even in the back seat of Houldsworth’s patrol car, Hunter is a much quieter co-worker.

“Henry was a barker,” Houldsworth said.

As for Houldsworth’s adjustment to the situation, he admits that it was not easy to lose a partner and gain a new one so quickly.

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