K-9 Recovering; Investigation Continues
By Kelly McBride, Stevens Point Journal (Wisconsin)
The Portage County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information in the apparent intentional poisoning of a police dog that became gravely ill during the weekend.
Police K-9 Bosco survived and is expected to make a full recovery, but it initially appeared the dog would die as a result of the poisoning, said Capt. John Keener of the Portage County Sheriff’s Department.
The department is continuing to investigate but has no suspects at this time, Keener said. The act of intentionally harming a police dog is a Class E felony.
Deputy Beth O’Malley, Bosco’s handler, was unavailable for comment Wednesday. O’Malley and Bosco have been a great team, Keener said.
“She’s had a very successful program here in the county,” he said. “The team has really been clicking.”
In addition to going on narcotics calls, Keener said, O’Malley and Bosco have had a community presence, visiting schools and other organizations.
A few months ago, the pair visited the Tomorrow River Lions Club, said Harvey Olson, Lions Club member and chair of the Portage County Law Enforcement Committee.
“It’s just totally ridiculous for anybody who would want to poison a dog,” Olson said, “and especially a K-9 (police) dog. It would be a terrific loss.”
O’Malley and Bosco completed a drug-sniffing demonstration at the Lions Club, Olson said.
"(His) disposition was really good, well mannered,” he said. "(O’Malley) has the dog really well trained. The combination of her training and the dog’s training makes for an excellent pair.”
Stevens Point Area Senior High principal Mary Pfeiffer said the presence of Bosco and other K-9s is a valuable asset in keeping the school grounds drug free. Dogs and officers conduct random, periodic checks for the scent of narcotics, she said.
“We hope that students aren’t using (drugs),” Pfeiffer said, “and for those who might be tempted to use, it is absolutely our hope that the drug dogs might act as a deterrent. We sure appreciate the cooperation that they have shared with SPASH and their willingness to help us support a drug-free environment.”
Although drugs aren’t yet a concern at the elementary school level, police K-9s have had a positive presence through the years at McKinley Center, said principal John Blader Sr.
"(Kids) see that the officer is a friend to them and they don’t have any reason to be afraid,” Blader said.
In addition to the emotional aspect of having a K-9 targeted, the expense of such an act also is an issue, Keener said. Dogs such as Bosco, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, cost between $5,000 and $10,000, plus the cost of training a K-9 and handler, he said.
Portage County has had K-9s since the early 1990s, and the animals primarily are supported through public donations, Keener said. Bosco, who lives with his handler, is the department’s only K-9.
After Bosco became violently ill Saturday, he was taken to Appleton for emergency veterinary service. The vet initially suspected a neurological problem, but as the dog stabilized and further tests were conducted, it became more likely that poison was involved. The type of poison has not been determined, Keener said, and Sheriff’s Department officials are being guarded with the details of the ongoing investigation.
The poisoning likely happened while Bosco was off-duty, Keener said, but he declined to speculate when the poison was ingested. Officials do not think Bosco came across the toxin accidentally, and Keener said all signs point to intentional poisoning.
Bosco will return to his K-9 work after a vet-ordered few weeks off to recuperate.