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Massachusetts State Police looking for good home for retired dogs

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The Massachusetts State Police have announced that some of their dogs are being retired and could use a good home.

According to a statement by the MSP, the Massachusetts State Police anticipate the retirement of some of their loyal and faithful working dogs in the near future, and are updating their list of people interested in being considered to possibly accept these dogs as family members and provide them a forever home. Those who express interest will be rigorously vetted to ensure that they are prepared, willing, and able to care for the dogs appropriately and lovingly in a safe environment.

While the dogs generally continue to live with their Trooper handlers after retirement, a small number of dogs will become available for adoption for various reasons after their honorable and selfless service to the MSP and the citizens that MSP protect.

One dog that will be available is Klauss, who is a 5 ½ years old Malinois mix dual-trained in patrol and human remains detection. Klauss will be available because his handler was promoted in rank and had to leave the K-9 Unit, and because the handler already has a retired MSP dog at home, he does not have space for a second. Due to Klauss’ age, he is not suitable for re-issue to another Trooper.

Another dog who will be available is Alex, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, originally from Slovakia who is trained in patrol and narcotics detection. We anticipate that Alex will be available because he has reached a retirement age and his handler is unable to keep him because he has a new department dog and another police dog at his home.

The State Police have certain criteria in prospective owners. They will conduct interviews with and run background checks on those interested, and will only turn the dogs over to those whom they determine are the “right” person or family for each dog’s forever home.

Those interested are asked to please contact the K-9 Unit Commander, Lt. Patrick Silva, at Patrick.Silva@pol.state.ma.us to be placed on the availability list and be considered for the vetting process.

29 Comments

  1. Fran Farmer

    April 28, 2024 at 6:53 am

    Wow a dog that is only 5 1/2 has to retire.? All the training etc must take a good year or more. Can they function in a regular home without doing their job? Doesn’t seem right that this young dog is over the hill and not able to be reissued? I’m happy for the dog that it will have his forever home much longer than his time on duty.

    • Eliza

      May 6, 2024 at 4:12 pm

      I agree 5-1/2 is very young to retire he still has a few good years in him. Maybe he was injured or has PTSD. I pray these loyal and precious beings get wonderful forever homes. There’s nothing I’d live more than a well trained young dog. I’m in desperate search for a service dog. The irony is that I couldn’t get him out enough or have room enough to be fair to him. Love to them all ❤️ 💙 💜

      • Spanky

        May 29, 2024 at 3:23 pm

        It states that his handler was promoted in rank and had to leave the K-9 Unit, and the handler already has a retired MSP dog at home. Due to Klauss’ age, he is not suitable for re-issue to another Trooper because of th years he has served and his end-issue

      • Donna Clemow

        July 14, 2024 at 2:14 am

        I’m gonna get my German Shepherd trainedi suffer from PTSD an severe Axienty an panic attacks.

        Donna

    • Cheryl

      May 23, 2024 at 8:27 am

      Amen, so unfair to that poor pup. I pray this beautiful animal gets a very loving home. I’d love to adopt myself.

    • Tricia

      July 4, 2024 at 1:21 pm

      Well said Fran! They are so committed to their job! I’m so in awe of them!!

    • Golden

      August 16, 2024 at 4:27 pm

      Trained dogs

    • Golden

      August 16, 2024 at 4:58 pm

      Trained police dogs initially go through an extensive training with their handler. The dog receives a kennel at the handlers home and as part of the training, he will remain there unless he’s being walked to take a leak or out in the field working. Depending on the dogs abilities his training with other K9 dogs can be weekly or several times a month. From the announcement that department doesn’t currently have any officers needing a dog or officers in training, or other local branches in the Malinois field:cadaver located. If you are not familiar with the breed I would strongly suggest reading up. And keep in mind a kennel trained working dog may need to be housetrained. Not just for toileting but to get use to everything a puppy would, sofa, wooden table & chair legs, shoes, and understand you can’t leave them home alone.Usually these dogs are trained in another language so ask. Helpful hint: immediately enroll them into an obedience class.On duty a well oiled and intensely driven machine. Offduty:unsettled, anxious waiting for the on switch. Malinois are extremely intelligent, and strongly bonded to their handlers.

    • Christina Holden-Shea

      August 26, 2024 at 9:23 am

      Unfortunately Shepherds and Shepherd mixes have a relatively short lifespan. If you see one over the age of 11 or 12, that’s elderly. The bigger the dog, the shorter the lifespan.

  2. Patti Emerson

    May 13, 2024 at 5:22 pm

    We have a 2.5 year old Standard Poodle and he’s is lonley! I think Brody(poodle) would love to have a bro…. They are beautiful dogs and iam sure well trained and good manners! I feel my husband and I are very lovable and caring for out Brody We have a feed acres we spend time with our animal’s.we are home all day with dog both retired.

    • Bill T

      May 16, 2024 at 1:38 pm

      You sounds like a great fit Patti, I hope you can give one of these beauties an awesome and loving home!!! God you bless you, your husband and Brody!

    • Drisana Kane

      July 5, 2024 at 1:09 pm

      You should put your name in to get a dog you sound like perfect ppl with land enough to make dogs happy.

  3. Adneris Diaz

    May 18, 2024 at 9:39 am

    I live by myself in a 2 bedrooms apt and I’m looking for a companion,a dog or a cat I had a Russian blue cat that I rescue him from the streets and he was the most spoiled cat I’ve ever seen, he had all the love and care any animal deserve, my friends just to come visit me and they always told me that I’m spoil him too much and that animals shouldn’t be as spoiled as he was because when I had to go out he was always in the window looking outside for me and miawing like he was crying and he would stay in the window until he sees me and when he see me he started miawing louder for me to come up to the house to give him some food and then lay down on my lap for me to pad him or scratch he’s neck or something, he had all the love and care in the world but sadly he passed away and it’s been like 4 y since then and I’m still missing him soo much that’s why I need an other companion I have all the time and love to care for a precious cat or dog and if is a service dog? Is better because they are already trained and their precious love and care for humans are so much better than if you train them yourself, I wish I can have one of them dogs specially because I suffer from ptsd, severe anxiety and everything else that comes with it and been lonely is not a joke, I need and wish I can get picked to have 1 of them precious being.

    • Drisana Kane

      July 5, 2024 at 1:14 pm

      I know the feeling like you said PTSD and loneliness but apartments are hard to keep big dogs unless it has a fenced in gate or dog walking area or if you walk it on the street you will be carrying a poop bag so think hard about dogs. Cats love just as hard are much easier for apartments and there are so many that need rescuing
      Whatever you decide i wish you the best of luck pets make a home feel like home

  4. Karen Blanchard

    May 18, 2024 at 3:06 pm

    Many years ago I found a thin black German Shepherd sleeping next to the Post Office building where I retired from. I got him in the car with no problem. Tuxedo was a fear biter which everyone including the veterinarian wanted me to put him to sleep. I refused & decided to keep him. He had razor sharp bottom teeth. I think he was a guard dog for someone’s yard. I’m Deaf & speak like a hearing person. Someone was in my home while I was at work. He chased the person out of my bed room window. I took him for walks every day. He was a very good & well behaved dog & lived a long happy life. He mellowed in his years & let people pet him afterwards. That’s proof of any dog that can be saved from euthanasia. One of your dogs will be in caring hands & enjoy long walks with me & be my guide & guard dog as well. I still live alone & Tuxedo was the last one since 2020. I’m very active for my age as compared to others my age. While I was in college I found a huge GermanShepherd walking along the busy street sniffing looking for food. I called him to come inside the car. I found he disliked uniformed guys & would try to go after them. He’s a fantastic guard dog while I studied outdoors. I gave him to my dad as a gift. Dad took him for long walks every day to help elevate his flat feet. Dad was a medic in WWII. Metzger lived to be 14 1/2 years.

  5. Karen

    May 25, 2024 at 4:21 pm

    Why aren’t u keeping those Dogs They r already loving you
    They may get very Lonely
    Please 🙏 keep them Prayers

  6. Karen

    May 25, 2024 at 4:22 pm

    Karen C

  7. Kay

    May 28, 2024 at 8:22 am

    I think the trainers of these dogs should adopt them…These poor dogs are being mis-led by being adopted to strangers they don’t know…Another sad day for dogs!

    • Jack

      July 1, 2024 at 2:37 pm

      Unfortunately they are considered equipment and not of use. 1% can be Adopted, others are just euthanized
      Like discarded trash. A bad life fir a dog that would protect in a second

      But just used equipment. Much like greyhounds were

  8. Cheryl

    May 30, 2024 at 6:21 pm

    This article was posted 6 years ago in July of 2018.

  9. DAVID SMITH

    June 2, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Whatever became of the two dogs ? As this article was originally posted in July 2018. I’m sure there are a lot of people besides myself that wonder how they ended up.

  10. Mary Georgina Saulnier

    June 9, 2024 at 9:40 pm

    I would love to take in a new friend my granddaughter would also love it I had a police dog years ago he failed so my boyfriend got him we had sabith for years big German shepherd he just hated other dogs we miss him so please we would love to help

  11. Frank Tropea

    June 10, 2024 at 1:44 pm

    I think I would love to adopt a loyal, healthy
    dog that is already house-broken and has had its
    full array of vaccinations.
    The only thing is I am 75 and don’t drive.
    I wouldn’t mind taking it out for walks as long as they are not long walks as I am older.
    I would give the dog good food and love.

  12. Shaun ricard

    June 18, 2024 at 6:11 pm

    I am Interested in helping out I am looking for a dog I just got a new place a big yard

  13. Raymond Stewart

    June 23, 2024 at 10:25 am

    I am interested in one of the dogs that is in the photo. However I live in West Greenwich RI I don’t no if it matters or not. I currently have blood hound but she is getting old. Let me no please and thank you . I have 89 acres so that is alot of room. Raymond Stewart

  14. Daniel Collins

    June 30, 2024 at 5:33 pm

    I assume these dogs are neutered, am I correct?
    I would love to give a loving caring home to any one of them but I already have 10 Labrador retrievers I give a loving caring home to. Yes 10.
    More people should be willing to care for these dogs, after all they have been working for you and like you would want a nice place to retire to.

  15. VICKI O

    July 1, 2024 at 4:18 am

    I LIKE IT And The Price Of The Car And I HAVE To Turn To Get Married.

  16. Essie Dube

    July 12, 2024 at 1:53 pm

    People, READ! The post is six years old! Both dogs have either gone to the Rainbow Bridge or are close. Being a dog rescuer of 41 years, I hope both got placed in loving homes fir the rest of their lives. ❤️❤️

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