In China, a Belgian Malinois named Barton has become a police dog in a specialized crime-fighting unit. Born in 2019 in the kennel of the Public Security Bureau's special forces unit, the dog is the offspring of a distinguished police dog. The puppy was born with a congenital defect in his left front paw, which affected his mobility—veterinarians even recommended euthanizing him.

Barton was initially adopted by a family, but the dog was soon returned because the puppy was mischievous and aggressive due to his breed-specific instincts and temperament. Canine handler Li Xiaodong, who had worked in the police department for 24 years, decided to give Barton a chance and began training him. Li himself suffered a leg injury in 2016, underwent two surgeries, and since then has relied on a wheelchair or crutches.

A canine trainer noted that Barton demonstrated impressive bite force and high stress tolerance, despite frequently losing his balance and sustaining injuries. He also demonstrated fearlessness and courage during encounters with suspects during training. When tasked with searching for dangerous objects, he instantly identified the target thanks to his keen instincts. At the age of two, in 2021, Barton officially became a riot control dog, passing the exam and receiving his certification.