Health issues lead to retirement of Dover police dog Rex – Times Reporter

DOVER — K-9 Rex is being retired from service with the Dover Police Department due to health reasons.
“I regret to inform you that K-9 Rex, age 9, has developed terminal health issues which will prevent him from any further service,” Safety Director Gerry Mroczkowski told Dover City Council on Monday. “Valley View Animal Hospital is monitoring his health and made a recommendation to retire him.”
Rex and Officer William Nedrow had partnered for more than seven years and “have been a great asset to the city of Dover Police Department, the Dover community and surrounding law enforcement partners,” Mroczkowski said.
The dog, a Belgian Malinois from Holland, was obtained by the city in 2014. 
Rex proved his tracking abilities immediately. 
While Rex and Nedrow were in the Sebring area in Mahoning County for training in September 2014, they were called upon by Smith Township police to assist in tracking two burglary suspects — and they apprehended them.
Police had set up a perimeter while looking for the suspects and requested a K-9 unit, but none was available. 
Rex and Nedrow and another officer and a police dog were in the area training. 
The rookie police dogs helped nab the two suspects, who were arrested and charged with burglary, breaking and entering, criminal trespassing and obstruction.
Mroczkowski noted that the city’s K-9 program has been funded entirely by donations from the community.
“We plan to continue the K-9 program with the support of the city administration, city council and the community,” he said.

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