The five-year veteran of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department went out on disability tonight, suffering from dysplasia, an ailment common in larger dogs which makes it difficult and painful to continue his duties.
But the 9-year-old German shepherd made his impact on the streets and on Interstate 95, helping officers to seize more than $700,000 in drug money and more than $1 million in illegal drugs, Chief Jeff Hinton noted in a memo to council.
It is that drug money that will pay the $14,000 for a new dog, Hinton said following the meeting, money taxpayers won’t have to spend. The new dog should be on the streets in November, the chief told council.
Brando will spend his retirement years with his partner, Chris Woodruff, who had to buy the dog from the city as surplus property for a dollar.
The dog, a gentle animal who loves to be petted, “Did the city of Roanoke Rapids proud,” Woodruff said during the meeting. “He did demonstrations. Kids loved him. People had no problem with him.”
Councilman Jon Baker thanked all the officers who attended the brief retirement ceremony. “Thank you all for serving the city. Officer Woodruff, we appreciate the work you have done with Brando.”
“He served us well,” Hinton said following the meeting. “He’s been great to us.”
For Woodruff, patrolling without Brando will be different. “He’s been a good friend and partner,” he said following the meeting. “He was gentle. I’m going to miss him.”
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