After being abandoned by his owner just over a year ago, a young mutt was finding it hard to fit in.

The energetic hound-boxer mix would not stop jumping up on people, mouthing on their arms and legs. It took a trainer from a police  K-9 group to spot the dog's real potential.

On a hunch, Adam Witherspoon tested the hyper dog for aptitude and was "stunned" by the outcome.

"His hunt drive was just through the roof."

Now, he is a star on the police force.

Sammy was a natural tracker, and his advanced skills were good enough to land the former pound occupant a new job as one of the Walnut Cove Police department's newest crime fighters.

(WATCH the video from Fox-8 News, or read the story at LifeWithDogs.tv)