Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Woodstock grants K9 officer an honored retirement

Photo from the autumn of 2017 depicts the Woodstock police K9 unit when it was recertified and recognized at the South Georgia K-9 Training and Certification Workshop in Perry: Officer Nik Petit-Alleyne and K9 Rex (from left), Officer Jarred Jackson and K9 Exo, Officer Mathew Dunn and K9 Rosa, and Officer Daniel Butler and K9 Dugan. CITY OF WOODSTOCK
Photo from the autumn of 2017 depicts the Woodstock police K9 unit when it was recertified and recognized at the South Georgia K-9 Training and Certification Workshop in Perry: Officer Nik Petit-Alleyne and K9 Rex (from left), Officer Jarred Jackson and K9 Exo, Officer Mathew Dunn and K9 Rosa, and Officer Daniel Butler and K9 Dugan. CITY OF WOODSTOCK
By David Ibata
June 17, 2020

A Woodstock Police Department veteran credited with assisting in hundreds of drug arrests, tracking multiple criminal suspects, and locating missing children and seniors has been granted an honored retirement by the City Council.

K9 Officer Dugan, a nine-year-old Belgian Malinois, has served police as a cross-trained narcotics/tracking dog for seven years and has shown periodic tenderness and symptoms of arthritis, mainly in his left front paw, for three years, Police Chief Calvin Moss said in a report to the council.

“Dugan still has the heart to continue working, but his working life is growing shorter,” Moss said.

Moss asked the council to allow Dugan to retire “while he still has the physical ability to enjoy retirement as a non-working dog for the first time in his life.” Dugan will live with retired Cherokee County EMS Chief Danny West in Waleska.

Dugan will be replaced by a dog cross-trained in narcotics, tracking and patrol duties, paid for using Woodstock Public Safety Foundation funds at no cost to the city, Moss said.

About the Author

David Ibata
More Stories

Keep Reading

DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant, 53, died while battling a commercial structure fire Sep. 8, officials said. (DeKalb County Fire Department)

Credit: DeKalb County Fire Department

Funeral to be held at Truist Park for fallen DeKalb firefighter

The veteran firefighter died Monday while trying to save his colleague as they battled a blaze at the Digital Thunderdome warehouse on South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road.

Cobb high school student stabbed to death by classmate, officials say

The student, identified in a statement by the Mableton mayor as David Daniel, died Saturday evening after being injured at a home, according to police.

BREAKING

Arrest made in theft of unreleased Beyoncé music during Atlanta tour stop

Kelvin Evans, who has an extensive criminal history in Fulton County over the past two decades, was arrested in Hapeville following an investigation, authorities said.

The Latest

DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant, 53, died while battling a commercial structure fire Sep. 8, officials said. (DeKalb County Fire Department)

Credit: DeKalb County Fire Department

Funeral to be held at Truist Park for fallen DeKalb firefighter

Cobb high school student stabbed to death by classmate, officials say

BREAKING

Arrest made in theft of unreleased Beyoncé music during Atlanta tour stop

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

Cobb County agency green lights tax break for Home Depot’s $140M project

The Development Authority of Cobb County voted 6-0 to give initial approval for Home Depot's request Tuesday but didn't disclose the property tax savings the company sought.