BOW Approves K-9 Retirement
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Buddy has served the Warsaw community for over eight years. He has been retired after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
During Friday’s meeting, the board approved a request from WPD for the K-9 to remain with his handler, WPD Lt. Joel Beam, and his family. The board also approved Beam purchasing Buddy from the city for $1.
As of Friday Buddy is no longer the property of WPD, and Beam now assumes all responsibility for the condition and care of the K-9. However, the city will assume financial responsibility for the cost of euthanasia for the K-9 when the time comes.
According to a press release issued Friday afternoon by WPD, Buddy was born in the Netherlands April 11, 2004, and performed his initial training in Europe. He received additional training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind., in early 2006. Buddy joined WPD on June 5, 2006, via a grant from the K21 Foundation.
Buddy was involved in numerous narcotic and criminal arrests that can be measured by the hundreds, according to the release. He is single-handedly responsible for saving the lives of two individuals. Buddy had well over a 1,000 calls for service and provided K-9 demonstrations for thousands of people.
He and Beam had great success in the American Working Dog K-9 Olympics, the release states. In 2009, the duo was part of a three-man/dog team that finished first place in the Patrol Division category. That same year, Buddy finished second place in the obedience category. In 2010, Beam and Buddy came in second place as a three-man/dog team in the Patrol Division category.
During Friday’s BOW meeting, Scott Whitaker, WPD chief, said Buddy and WPD Officer Al Danko’s retired dog, Pako, who has retired, have been replaced. The department would like to add a third K-9 by the end of 2015. Whitaker said it will allow K-9s to be placed on all three shifts.
The replacement K-9s are Dax, handled by Patrolman Phil Reed; and Mako, handled by Patrolman Trent Shively. Dax, 4, joined WPD April 1, 2013. Mako, 4, joined WPD Oct. 2, 2013. Both dogs are Belgian Malinois.
The release states K-9s are valuable law enforcement tools and have proven effective in the areas of narcotic detection, apprehension of fleeing criminals, tracking and officer/handler protection.
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Buddy has served the Warsaw community for over eight years. He has been retired after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
During Friday’s meeting, the board approved a request from WPD for the K-9 to remain with his handler, WPD Lt. Joel Beam, and his family. The board also approved Beam purchasing Buddy from the city for $1.
As of Friday Buddy is no longer the property of WPD, and Beam now assumes all responsibility for the condition and care of the K-9. However, the city will assume financial responsibility for the cost of euthanasia for the K-9 when the time comes.
According to a press release issued Friday afternoon by WPD, Buddy was born in the Netherlands April 11, 2004, and performed his initial training in Europe. He received additional training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind., in early 2006. Buddy joined WPD on June 5, 2006, via a grant from the K21 Foundation.
Buddy was involved in numerous narcotic and criminal arrests that can be measured by the hundreds, according to the release. He is single-handedly responsible for saving the lives of two individuals. Buddy had well over a 1,000 calls for service and provided K-9 demonstrations for thousands of people.
He and Beam had great success in the American Working Dog K-9 Olympics, the release states. In 2009, the duo was part of a three-man/dog team that finished first place in the Patrol Division category. That same year, Buddy finished second place in the obedience category. In 2010, Beam and Buddy came in second place as a three-man/dog team in the Patrol Division category.
During Friday’s BOW meeting, Scott Whitaker, WPD chief, said Buddy and WPD Officer Al Danko’s retired dog, Pako, who has retired, have been replaced. The department would like to add a third K-9 by the end of 2015. Whitaker said it will allow K-9s to be placed on all three shifts.
The replacement K-9s are Dax, handled by Patrolman Phil Reed; and Mako, handled by Patrolman Trent Shively. Dax, 4, joined WPD April 1, 2013. Mako, 4, joined WPD Oct. 2, 2013. Both dogs are Belgian Malinois.
The release states K-9s are valuable law enforcement tools and have proven effective in the areas of narcotic detection, apprehension of fleeing criminals, tracking and officer/handler protection.
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