Retired Rexburg police dog waits at shelter for good home

UPDATE: Sammy has found a home. See http://goo.gl/6rA78 .

Many older dogs at eastern Idaho animal shelters are waiting patiently for a family to scoop them up and take them home.

But one canine at the Rexburg Animal Shelter has been around the block more than others.

Ten-year-old Sammy, a black lab, is no ordinary dog. He’s a retired police officer, with a storied career of crime fighting.

Now he needs a home.

“He’s a great dog,” said Rexburg Police Sgt. Ray Hermosillo.

Hermosillo knows better than anyone that a K-9 officer like Sammy deserves the finest retirement.

“They’ve put in their service to their community,” he said. “They listen better, they’re trained, they’re loyal.”

Sammy isn’t on the force anymore, of course. He’s taking it easy at the shelter these days. But there was a time he spent his days taking a bite out of crime.

“He would ride on patrol with me, and we would go look for narcotics,” said Hermosillo.

But these days, Sammy would rather just be a regular dog.

The black lab with a commanding bark doesn’t have drug sniffing on his mind much.

“Sammy loves to play fetch,” said Hermosillo.

He’s been at the shelter for quite awhile now. Several months have passed.

Although he isn’t on the euthanization list, shelter staff hope he’ll find a home this holiday season.

“Sammy’s been an officer as long as I’ve been an officer, and I wanted to be part of finding him a home,” said Rexburg Animal Control officer Stephen Buzzell.

Buzzell said it’s not a sad thing Sammy’s at the shelter waiting for the perfect home. He gets to see his fellow officers often. It’s just another routine stop.

“He’s a great dog and I think we can find him a great home,” said Buzzell.

Hermosillo hopes so, too.

“Sammy definitely deserves a fun loving home with lots of room to play, and kids,” he said.

If you’re interested in giving Sammy a home, you can contact the Rexburg Animal Shelter at (208) 359-3005.

Even if you can’t take Sammy home, he could always use a playmate.

Buzzell said the shelter is also looking for loving volunteers to walk and play with the animals there.