Sacramento Deputies Give Back to K9 Officer with Cancer

Dogs are often more than just man’s best friend, working for a living to protect communities. Long after their badges come off, their people are trying to make sure they return the favor when the animals need it the most — in the face of illness.

Six-year-old Sacramento County Sheriff’s K-9 Officer Kaleo has had an adventurous five years on the job. “I can think of several times that he had my back and definitely saved my life,” said Deputy Mark Limbird, Kaleo’s handler.

Limbird recalls the time his canine partner kept hanging on to a suspected burglar even as the suspect was hitting Kaleo on the head with a shovel. “But even still at that point, Kaleo never let go of the guy, did his job and everybody went home safe that night,” he added.

But recently Kaleo was faced with the biggest challenge of his career. He was forced to retire. “A couple of months ago he went in for a check up and found a tumor on his foot,” said Limbird. “It was a huge emotional roller coaster ride when we found out,” he added.

According to Limbird, what made matters worse was Kaleo would no longer be covered by the county for his veterinary care during his fight against cancer. Instead, Limbird would have to seek out help to pay for Kaleo’s treatment.

“A ballpark figure just for Kaleo for his treatment at this time is about $10,000,” said Limbird. “Thankfully, the Sacramento Sheriff’s K-9 Association was established to help in situations like this,” he added. The group raises money to help pay for retired working dogs’ health care.

However, in a struggling economy, donations are down. In an attempt to continue to help Kaleo’s family pay for chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, a 5K and 10K run/walk on August 23 will take place at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s Training Facility. Proceeds will also go to help other retired working dogs.

“He needs the support of the community,” said Dr. Michael Kent, a UC Davis veterinarian treating Kaleo. “He’s served the community helping to protect everyone for five years, it’s time for people to help him back.”

With such support, Limbird hopes his best friend stays by his side for years to come. “We just kind of keep hopes alive that everything will be fine and that we caught it early enough and that he’ll enjoy many years at home with my wife, children and just enjoy being part of our family,” said Limbird.

For registration costs and to register for the 5k/10k, click here.

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Miami K-9 officer and dog get high marks from national association

Gentle and friendly by nature, Ero, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, knows when it’s time to get serious.

At a recent certification and competition through the United States Police Canine Association, Ero earned the distinction of being one of the best bomb dogs in the state.

“He’s part of our family and is with me and my wife and children all day, every day,” said Keith Hibbard, a Miami University police officer and Ero’s trainer. “Whenever we’re not working, he’s a family dog, but when I put his collar on him, he knows it’s time to go to work.”

At the competition held in June, Hibbard and Ero received the USPCA’s Explosive Detector Dog Certification, which consists of graded operational searches of buildings and vehicles.

Ero identifies explosives by sitting and pointing with his nose rather than scratching at them, which could trigger them, said Hibbard, who worked with explosives in the Navy.

“Other canine handlers tell me Ero is the perfect bomb dog and they wish their dogs were more like him,” he said. “He won’t give up while searching for explosives, but he’s also willing to be gentle, put on a smile and lean against a friend so you will pet him when he’s not working.”

Hibbard became his handler in 2007 after going through explosives training with Ero for 10 weeks.

“Chief John McCandless spearheaded the bomb dog program,” Hibbard said. “His vision is the reason we have Ero.”

And while Ero works from the Miami campus, he’s often requested by other area agencies for pre-event and package sweeps. He and Hibbard worked the NAACP convention in Cincinnati, at Great American Ball Park a few years ago when President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch and, the most recent sweep, was for Gov. Ted Strickland when he visited Miami.

“We feel very proud and fortunate to have one of the best explosive detection dogs in the Tri-state and a handler like Officer Hibbard who is so dedicated to his community and our K-9 program,” said Capt. Jason Willis who oversees Miami’s program.

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