Deputy Dingo retires from sheriff’s office
Cake: Dingo was treated to his own personal cake during his recent retirement party. The 11-year-old Belgian Malinois served the sheriff’s office for seven years. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers
COSHOCTON – Deputy Dingo happily greeted his guests and posed for pictures at his retirement party on March 17. The Coshocton County Sheriff Office K-9 also chowed down on a special bone shaped cake made just for him.
The 11-year-old Belgian Malinois has faithfully served the sheriff’s office for seven years and Deputy Dave Stone was honored to have him as his partner.
“He was my first dog and was great with the guys and my family,” Stone said. “He’s also done his job well.”
Dingo has tracked and apprehended multiple suspects, found missing people and children and been a big help in finding narcotics over the years.
“That wasn’t just in Coshocton,” Stone said. “We also helped other counties and worked with the highway patrol.”
Dingo was presented with a card from his co-workers, a picture board of memories, a portrait of him in uniform and a few presents including a plaque honoring him for his years of service.
“Since Dingo can’t open his own cards we will let Deputy Stone help him,” said Sheriff Tim Rogers. “It’s hard to believe that seven years went by this quick. We are thankful to Dingo for his dedication and hard work and to you Deputy Stone for being his handler and all you’ve done. We look forward to working with our new dog, but today is Dingo’s day.”
Stone has been training with a new 2-year-old female Dutch Shepherd named Henata.
“Her training went well,” he said. “We did it at Storm Dog Tactical where they have three amazing trainers.”
Henata and Dingo will both live with Stone.
“They get along well, but he decided to become more my wife’s dog since he hasn’t been going to work,” Stone said.
Both dogs were purchased through the Charles and Dorothy Bechtol Fund at the Coshocton Foundation.
“They did this because they were concerned with drug use and the effects of it on the community,” said Kathy Bryant, the Bechtols daughter. “Mom is deceased and Dad is still recovering from surgery he had in January, but any opportunity they had they would go watch Dave and Dingo in action. They really enjoyed watching their journey together. I once asked Dad if he would do this again and he said absolutely. You can tell Dave loved working with Dingo and so did others in the sheriff’s office.”
Stone will miss working with Dingo, but knows retirement is best for his health.
“Today is very bittersweet,” Stone said. “It’s going to be hard to see him go. It’s best that he retires now though before he gets hurt. You can tell in training exercises that things were starting to bother him and I don’t want him to be miserable.”
Henata will have a lot to live up to.
“If she’s going to be as good as him or better, she’s got big shoes to fill,” Stone said. “He’s an amazing dog.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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