Sheriff's office shares heartfelt story of retiring K-9's transformation

Hope Schreiber
·Writer
K-9 Bosco received a heartfelt sending off for his retirement after serving for six years. (Photo: Facebook)
K-9 Bosco received a heartfelt sending off for his retirement after serving for six years. (Photo: Facebook)

After serving the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office in Brevard, North Carolina for six years, K-9 Bosco is handing in his vest and entering retirement at the age of 13.

“It is with mixed emotions that the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit announces the retirement of K-9 Bosco,” the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office shared on its Facebook page. “A lovable stubby-tailed Belgian Malinois with a troubled past, K-9 Bosco worked his final shift at the end of 2018 at 13 years old. His drive to work was as fresh as it was when he first came to us in 2012, but his aging body said it was time to retire.”

In 2012, K-9 Bosco was given to TSCO after another agency described him as “untrainable and uncontrollable.” The office described K-9 Bosco as “young and wild,” however Lt. Kevin Holden proved to be the firm and fair handler the dog needed, and the pair quickly bonded.

Over time, K-9 Bosco became the most successful TCSO K-9 in the program’s history.

“K-9 Bosco is credited with assists in hundreds of arrests,” the post read. He was able to seize “large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and other illegal narcotics throughout his career that otherwise would not have been discovered without his excellent nose.” On top of that, K-9 Bosco proved to be a “fantastic” tracking dog and helped to apprehended numerous fleeing criminals.

K-9 Bosco was able to bring a “smile to people’s faces as he roamed around the office” where he demanded belly rubs and for someone to throw his toy. He was exceptional with children, and always became the center of attention at demonstrations, schools, and community events, the post said.

“We wish him well in his retirement. Go chase all of the toys, and get as many belly rubs as you can, buddy!” the post reads.

After his retirement, the K-9 unit at Transylvania County Sheriff’s office is down to two dog teams.

The sheriff’s office wrote that its K-9 program is run almost entirely on donations and community support, and each dog in the program, which costs around $10,000 to $15,000, had been paid for without using taxpayer money. The office asks if you would like to support their K-9 unit or want to learn more about the unit, to contact TCSO at 828-884-3168.

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