Takku was on the verge of being put down in an animal shelter in Yamaguchi Prefecture after his owner had abandoned him. Now the year-old mixed breed has a new owner and is being trained as a police dog.
Naoko Yamamoto, 50, is hoping Takku will one day pass the test to become a part-time police dog with the prefectural police and serve as an example for other dogs like him.
"This year marks the Year of the Dog," she said. "I am hoping Takku will provide a ray of hope for stray or abandoned dogs."