The Monticello Police Department says it won’t be able to make its training K9 an official police dog.Monticello Police Chief Britt Smith said Tuesday that Bozi, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois rescue, did great in controlled environments but was unable to complete tasks when facing real-life distractions.“There was a significant amount of uncertainty in his past when we began this journey and during his time in the spotlight, thanks to the social media exposure, we learned some important things about Bozi and his upbringing that have affirmed our observations,” the department said.Bozi began training with the department earlier this year. He was rescued in April after being in a kill shelter for nearly a year.As an official K9, Bozi would have worked to detect narcotics and find missing persons.Smith and his handler, Officer Keanan Shannon, said Bozi had some problems with his formal certification. That’s when master trainers advised the department to not move forward with Bozi as an official K9.“Not every dog is suited for the demands and expectations of this assignment, but it does not discount or discredit the efforts that were taken to provide him the opportunity to live the life of service,” Smith said.The Monticello Police Department thanked supporters who have donated to the department’s K9 program. Donors who contributed to Bozi’s journey are able to be reimbursed, and Smith said remaining donations will be put toward future K9 training.The department was fundraising “Project Bozi,” as training and equipment for the dog and handler can cost as much as $10,000.Despite not graduating, it’s not a sad ending for Bozi. Smith said he adopted the furry friend, giving him a forever home.“Bozi gets along great with all of our two-and four-legged family members and is settling in to his own and will begin to enjoy some luxuries that most working dogs don’t get to experience!”As for the future of the department’s K9 program, Smith says they will continue the search for a new furry recruit.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
The Monticello Police Department says it won’t be able to make its training K9 an official police dog.
Monticello Police Chief Britt Smith said Tuesday that Bozi, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois rescue, did great in controlled environments but was unable to complete tasks when facing real-life distractions.
“There was a significant amount of uncertainty in his past when we began this journey and during his time in the spotlight, thanks to the social media exposure, we learned some important things about Bozi and his upbringing that have affirmed our observations,” the department said.
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Bozi began training with the department earlier this year. He was rescued in April after being in a kill shelter for nearly a year.
As an official K9, Bozi would have worked to detect narcotics and find missing persons.
Smith and his handler, Officer Keanan Shannon, said Bozi had some problems with his formal certification. That’s when master trainers advised the department to not move forward with Bozi as an official K9.
“Not every dog is suited for the demands and expectations of this assignment, but it does not discount or discredit the efforts that were taken to provide him the opportunity to live the life of service,” Smith said.
The Monticello Police Department thanked supporters who have donated to the department’s K9 program. Donors who contributed to Bozi’s journey are able to be reimbursed, and Smith said remaining donations will be put toward future K9 training.
The department was fundraising “Project Bozi,” as training and equipment for the dog and handler can cost as much as $10,000.
Despite not graduating, it’s not a sad ending for Bozi. Smith said he adopted the furry friend, giving him a forever home.
“Bozi gets along great with all of our two-and four-legged family members and is settling in to his own and will begin to enjoy some luxuries that most working dogs don’t get to experience!”
As for the future of the department’s K9 program, Smith says they will continue the search for a new furry recruit.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play