By Joanna Putman
Police1
RENO, Nev. — A K-9 handler has expressed feelings of betrayal after his K-9 partner Nala was abruptly removed from service and put up for adoption, KOLO reported.
Trooper Christopher Garcia told KOLO that Nala’s sudden removal from the Nevada State Police’s K-9 program came after he reported a non-violent nipping incident. He said that he was not given the ability to adopt Nala who had been Garcia’s partner for two years.
“She’s a huge daddy’s girl. I just love her,” Garcia said. “She’s part of the family. Off duty she’s with me, she’s just a big love.”
Garcia told KOLO he was informed that state authorities would not allow him to adopt Nala while he was still working with the department because they “felt there was a liability.”
“The Nevada Department of Public Safety is aware of significant public interest in Nala, one of the department’s working canines,” the NHP stated. “As with all department canines, Nala is a state-funded and highly trained member of our law enforcement family. To improve performance and ensure renewed certification, the department determined canine Nala needed remedial training and other support, including an up-to-date veterinary examination. These steps will help to ensure a long and healthy law enforcement career serving the citizens of Nevada. Canine Nala’s welfare is a priority for the department, and she remains in good health and good hands. This matter is the subject of an internal administrative review, and the Department is unable to provide any further comment or details at this time.”
Garcia said that other handlers have been able to adopt their K-9s at the end of their service. He was ordered to surrender Nala on Jan. 17, according to the report.
“When I took this position, I did so with the intent to work with her for her entire working life and have her retire at home with me,” Garcia stated. “She is very well taken care of and will continue to be. She did not deserve to have her world turned upside down and put in the care of someone she had never met before. If the department had no issue adopting her out or placing her somewhere, there is no better place for her to be than in her home with me.”