One of the Pearl River County Sheriff Department’s K-9 officers will retire soon, earning a well-deserved rest from catching criminals and sniffing out drugs.
Scar, the 10-year-old Belgian Malinois K-9 officer with the department stepped down from his post Thursday to spend time at home.
While his age is wearing on him, he still has the drive to do his job.
“His heart says go, but his body says no,” Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said.
He’s been on the force for the past 7 years, and has worked with four officers during his tenure with the department, said current handler Kristy Boyd. Scar will retire to the Boyd household where he will spend his days as a pet piling up on the couch next to Boyd’s husband Trent, who is also an officer with the sheriff’s department.
“He’s like family, not just a dog,” Kristy Boyd said.
Scar was donated to the department by a local trainer, K-9 Legends. Another dog has been added to the staff to take Scar’s place, leaving the department with a total of five K-9 officers to cover all of the shifts.
One thing Kristy Boyd will miss is having Scar as a work companion while patrolling Pearl River County roads. She said he’s responsible for an untold number of arrests and finding lots of drugs in many vehicles.