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    • Police K-9 that helps rescue kidnapped child wins 2024 Hero Dog Awards
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    Police K-9 that helps rescue kidnapped child wins 2024 Hero Dog Awards

    Online Niel Posted on

    Some of America’s most heroic dogs have been honored for their extraordinary service to humanity, but one emerged as the winner.

    North Carolina police dog Bo from the Gastonia Police Department won the prestigious American Humane Hero Dog Awards. Along with his handler, Sgt. David Rowland, the very good 18-month-old has been saving lives since he started his career in October 2023, including finding both a missing elderly dementia patient and an 11-year-old with autism.

    In January, Bo used his keen sniffing skills to track down robbery suspects even amid heavy odor pollution. He also found a 7-year-old child who had been taken at knifepoint in May.

    “We are so excited to name Bo as American Humane’s newest Hero Dog, a well-deserved honor for him and his handler David,” American Humane President and CEO Robin Ganzert said in a statement. presser. “The duo worked tirelessly and saved many lives thanks to Bo’s courage and top scent tracking skills. It is these kinds of incredible stories of perseverance and dedication that this award aims to highlight.”

    Bo will be appropriately lauded at the 14th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 8, along with four other hero dog honorees.

    Meet the other finalists: Explosive detection dog, service dog, among other top dogs

    What are the American Humane Hero Dog Awards?

    The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is an annual, nationwide competition that recognizes “America’s outstanding dogs,” described as “often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether saving lives on the battlefield, providing sight or hearing to a human companion or help people achieve their goals” American Humane says on its website.

    Hundreds of inspirational dogs were nominated from across the country for the 14th edition of the competition which started earlier this year in June. Five semi-finalists in each of the five categories were shortlisted and “chosen to meet the American public,” who then voted for their favorite four-legged hero in five different categories, including:

    • Law enforcement and first responder dogs
    • Service and guide dogs or auditors
    • Therapy dogs
    • Military dogs
    • Emerging hero and shelter dogs

    “This is one of the most special and inspiring groups ever,” American Humane President Robin Ganzert told USA TODAY exclusively last month. “All five of these brave canines epitomize the resilience, selflessness and unconditional love we’re looking for in America’s next top dog.

    “We are proud to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes who are too often overlooked,” she added.

    What to know about Bo

    • Age: 18 months
    • Breed: Bloodhound (male)
    • Responsible: Gastonia Police Department Sergeant David Rowland
    • Location: Gastonia, North Carolina
    • Hero Dog Awards Category: Law Enforcement and First Response

    K-9 Bo was the first dog to join the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina. Bo began his law enforcement career in 2023 when he was handpicked from a litter of puppies and has been on the job since he was just 8 months old, “closing cases, solving crimes and saving lives.”

    Unlike his more ferocious colleagues on the department’s K-9 team, Bo is gentle and provides comfort to the people he tracks. During his first mission, Bo was able to successfully find a missing 11-year-old autistic child and soothe the suffering boy while they waited for help to arrive.

    Since then, Bo has helped find several missing senior citizens, a 7-year-old kidnapping victim and “even followed a four-hour-old scent trail to find robbery suspects.”

    Fun Fact: Bo is terrified of Halloween decorations, his handler, Sgt. David Rowland said.

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