Sharpsburg police dog Jango retires due to health issues – TribLIVE

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Sharpsburg K-9 Officer Jango, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, has retired after a little more than four years of service.
Partnered with Officer Jeffrey Husar and sworn in May 1, 2018, the beloved barker was forced to call it a career due to health issues.
Jango was recently diagnosed with renal failure and tests showed he was in an elevated late stage of kidney disease. His last shift was Aug. 30.
Hussar said he brought Jango to training in Ross with other K-9 units from Pittsburgh Regional Transit, McCandless and Ross as part of his final day of service.
“They were all happy to see him and say bye to him,” Hussar said. “He’s been alright. When we go to training, he knows where he’s at. He gets hyper and ready to work.”
Hussar, 43, of Shaler, said becoming a K-9 officer had always been his dream. He started preparing for the program in 2017.
Jango was purchased from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville in February 2018.
The kennel specializes in training German and Dutch shepherds and Belgian Malinois for police service and personal protection, according to its website.
They trained at the kennel through April of that year.
It cost about $15,000 for the dog and training. A new police vehicle specially outfitted for the unit cost about $50,000.
Hussar said the startup was all paid for through donations, fundraising and a $12,000 grant through the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.
Sharpsburg officials recognized Jango for his service at the Aug. 25 council meeting. Jango was not in attendance.
Police Chief Thomas Stelitano said the K-9 team has handled 73 calls for service to other departments for narcotics searches, building searches and locating missing and runaway children.
Some of the highlights included assisting Hampton and O’Hara police with the apprehension of a felony warrant suspect, and a state police assist with the apprehension of a homicide suspect in Butler County.
Jango and Hussar also did demonstrations for students in Shaler and Fox Chapel Area elementary schools and served as not only a crime deterrent, but a community ambassador.
“K-9 Jango was the first fully trained working dog for the borough, and he will be greatly missed,” Stelitano said. “He was a great asset to the department.”
Hussar noted his partner was also involved in more than 150 calls in Sharpsburg and was credited with about 50 arrests.
He said police dogs usually retired at age 9 or 10, which would have given Jango at least three more years of service.
Penn Animal Hospital donated its veterinary services to the department.
“It’s not exactly how I wanted it to end,” Hussar said of Jango’s career. “He’s putting on a brave face. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions. He’s getting IVs every day. We have stuff we brought home from the vet that we give to him. He’s just been not really himself. Not as energetic. A little lethargic, but he’s hanging in there.”
Jango will remain with Hussar in retirement.
Hussar said his partner has become another member of the family and gets along very well with his wife, Sydney, their two children Weston, 8, Aspyn, 5, and their 8-year-old black Labrador Sophie.
It is unclear how much time Jango has left.
“He could just collapse or he could live for another year,” Hussar said. “He’s been through enough with the needles and stuff. We just want him to be comfortable, to be at home and just be a dog. We’ll let him get his rest and relaxation and let him live his best for the time he has left.”
Hussar said he would like the borough to get a new police dog. It is unclear when a new unit may be formed.
Donations can be made to the department in Jango’s name at the borough building, 1611 Main St. Monetary contributions also can be donated via Northwest Bank, 905 Main St. Make sure to specify at the bank it is for the Sharpsburg K9 Unit account.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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