Together, a Michigan police dog and his handler have safely located five lost children during their seven-year partnership, establishing an impressive record and an exceptional bond!
It was approximately 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, when law enforcement responded to a report of a missing toddler in Michigan's Geneva Township, according to South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) and an incident report filed by Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.
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A Police Dog Helps Find the Boy
A three-year-old boy wandered from his home on 68th Street after pushing a screen out of an open window. According to The Independent, Deputy Eric Calhoun and his eight-year-old Belgian Malinois Kuno arrived at the residence about 30 minutes after the child was last seen. Other officers were on the scene, and SHAES drone operators searched from above in an effort to locate the boy, who had gone missing wearing only a diaper.
Kuno and Deputy Calhoun quickly discovered a footprint, which led them to a body of water less than a mile from the home. Thankfully, the pair found the little one when they did. ABC affiliate WZZM and The Independent reported that he was spotted just 50 yards from the water!
Drone operators located the boy just as Deputy Calhoun and Kuno did, and another deputy picked up and consoled the crying and cold boy. Though things could have ended much differently, the baby boy had only a few scratches.
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The Bond With Kuno
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott shared, "I'll be here 32 years next week. I've never heard of a canine recovering multiple kids throughout its career. This is a deputy who, on his days off, sets up training with other agencies so he can stay on point with this dog. His goal is to have the number one dog in the state of Michigan, if not the nation. That is the drive he has. This dog has that drive."
What does Eric Calhoun say about his incredible partnership with Kuno?
"The bond between me and K-9 Kuno is somewhat unbearable. It's kind of like having another kid," Deputy Calhoun said. "I take him home with me at the end of my shift, he socialises with my family, and then I get to take him to work and work with me for 12 hours."
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K-9 Kuno will end his seven-year career and retire at the end of May, leaving the ranks of law enforcement and taking up lounging. He certainly has earned his rest!
"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:10
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h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/WWMT-TV