Fullerton K-9 officer Blitz retires after busy 7-year career

One of the Police Department’s most heroic officers officially retired Sunday:

K-9 officer Blitz, an 8-year-old German shepherd that made eight felony apprehensions and

drew more than 60 surrenders in his 7-year career.

“He is one of the best dogs we’ve ever had,” said Fullerton police Sgt. Chris Wren, who has

worked as a K-9 handler. “He’s made a lot of apprehensions and caught a lot of bad guys.”

Blitz’s last find about a week ago was a large amount of methamphetamine stuffed in the

bed of a truck, Wren said. His discovery of the drugs also helped his handler, Fullerton

police Officer James Boline, uncover a gun.

In March 2013 Boline was shot four times during a traffic stop. His bulletproof vest saved

his life, police said at the time; he was also shot in the leg and arm. Injured, Boline, still was

able to call in a description of the suspect, which eventually led to their arrests. Wren

remembers having to go and get Blitz from the patrol car after the shooting.

“Everyone was afraid of him,” he said Sunday. “I brought him to the station and another

handler from another agency took him until Boline was released from the hospital.”

Wren said Blitz is one of the department’s three K-9 officers.

Blitz will be replaced by another Malanois and will go into retirement living with Boline.

Special thanks to ERIKA I. RITCHIE and THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A retired K-9 and his handler’s current partner can coexist without much trouble. Some confusion on the part of the newly retired dog as he gets used to his new “job” can be expected.This change will be difficult for both of you. It’s difficult for a K-9 to sit at home while his handler goes to work-without him. K-9s love working, so it’s hard for them to give up their role as partner.

Accepting retirement is difficult for a dog when his handler brings home a new K-9 and begins taking him to work instead. Although a little jealousy can’t be helped, especially when a new K-9 is first introduced, retired K-9s seem more willing to accept a replacement dog if they’re already used to being around other animals..

Since dogs are pack animals, one or both will try to assert dominance as the pack’s leader, or alpha. The point here is that the handler is the alpha.

Whether you bring in a new dog or not, your retired K-9 will need a lot of attention from you and your family to adjust to retirement. Make sure he remains active and feels that he has a role in the family. Most dogs are more than willing to take over as the family protector.