BELLEVUE, Wash. - The Bellevue Police Departmentreports that their K-9 officer named Bosco has died at age 10.
Officer Carla Iafrate saysBosco was found tied to a fence in 2003. The family had moved out of the area and left the dog with a note asking that he be taken to the dog pound. The neighbors contacted a rescue organization and Bosco was saved.
The rescuer wanted to use Bosco as a service dog but knew he had too much energy. She heard the Bellevue Police Department was looking for a police dog donation so she called and said she had a dog.
K-9 Officer Dave Ethredge arrived and within five minutes decided the handsome German Shepherd was a good candidate for police work.
Bosco quickly thrived in the police world. He was assigned to his handler, Officer Dave Sanabria, and within the next few months they became a certified team. In 2004 Sanabria and Bosco became accredited with the Washington State Police Canine Association.
Together they worked the streets of Bellevue and assisted surrounding cities in several captures. His career involved over 200 deployments with over 50 captures.
Bosco retired in October 2009 and became the Sanabria's family pet.
He was a great dog and partner. I ll miss him, said Sanabria.
