In his illustrious law-enforcement career he helped apprehend more than 30 fleeing felons and helped seize hundreds of pounds of drugs. But now he has trouble getting in and out of the patrol car, and tires quickly.
So Chico, a trained police dog, retired from duty last week, ending a 7-year run with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.
"K-9 Chico has been my partner for a long time and I will really miss working with him every day," Deputy Billy Hurst said of the 9 1/2-year-old Belgian Malinois imported from Holland.
Added Paulding Sheriff Gary Gulledge: "Law enforcement canines have a much harder life than a normal canine. They are stressed and asked to do things every day that take a toll on their bodies. We are very fortunate to have been able to utilize K-9 Chico for seven years."
Hurst is working with a new partner, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois named K-9 Major.
