When Police Dogs Go 10-7 for the Final Time
A police dog’s career span is typically less than a decade, according to Madison County K-9 Deputy Martin Wesley.
When the time comes for an agency to retire its K-9, many things need to be factored into the decision. For example, what’s best for the agency by replacing the dog? What is best for the soon-to-be retired dog itself?
“You can get about eight years (working) out of a dog before you have to retire it,” Wesley said. A master trainer since 2014, Wesley said the reasons for such a short career are many.
“Their age is a big factor,” the deputy said. “They may have some health issues, getting in and out of a car causes problems with their hips and back. They’re just like us; they wear out. The only difference is that dogs age seven times faster than humans do.”
The Berea Police Department decided in July 2019 to retire Parko, an 8-year-old Dutch Shepherd, who served BPD for seven years, BPD Officer Jeff Harness said.
During his career with BPD, Parko took part in nearly 400 drug-related arrests, Harness said.
“Parko was getting up in age, and based on the veterinarian’s recommendation, the council wanted to go ahead and get a new dog,” he said. “It was bittersweet. He needed to come off the road because he was getting a spot on his spine.”
The decision of what to do with a police dog, once it is retired, depends on the agency, Wesley said.
“Most handlers, I’ll say nine out of 10, will keep them,” he said.
Such was the case for Parko. Once the city of Berea started thinking about retiring the K-9, Harness was hopeful he would get an opportunity to keep Parko.
“They surplused him to me,” Harness said. “Where the taxpayers paid for him, they surplused him, much like when the military starts selling their old equipment.”
By taking Parko, Harness assumed all the costs associated with having a pet such as medical care, food, and other necessities, as is common once the animal is no longer property of the agency.
“It all falls back on me,” he said.
On his final day as a member of BPD, members of the department and city celebrated Parko, Harness said.
“The city held a retirement party,” he recalled. “They had a cake with his picture on it. The mayor, city manager and police department members were there. They bought ice cream specially made for dogs, and he was fed every one of them.”
Parko’s post-police life is vastly different from his time with BPD.
“He’s lazy,” Harness quipped.
