Dogs are a human’s best friend, and there isn’t a better example than Bo, the Bloodhound. The 18-month-old bloodhound has recently been announced as one of the 2024 American Humane Hero Dog Awards winners for everything he’s done this year, which is a lot more than your average pup!
Not The Average Dog
Bo isn’t any old average dog. He’s got a duty to fulfil as an officer of the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina. He works closely with his handler, sergeant David Rowland, who couldn’t ask for a better partner and canine companion.
Announcing The Winner
The duo were on Today when they surprised Rowland by announcing Bo’s title. Rowland said, “I didn’t think we were going to win. I was just blessed to be up here with Bo, the American Humane, to just, you know, to tell our story and what Bo has accomplished in our community and the amazing nose of a bloodhound.”
A Hero Dog
President and CEO of American Humane, Dr. Robin Ganzert, said, “We are so excited to name Bo as American Humane’s latest Hero Dog. In a short time, Bo and David have done extraordinary work as members of the Gastonia Police Department.”
Great Feats
The American Humane Hero Dog Awards aren’t something any canine can win. Individuals are considered for the award for feats like saving lives or helping individuals who need it.
Competition
Originally, 25 other dogs were competing with Bo, who were divided into four other finalists. Thankfully, each finalist won in their category. It is the 14th annual award that American Humane has given out, and hundreds of dogs competed.
Selected To Fight Crime
Bo was selected from his litter when he was eight months old to help fight crime as part of the Gastonia Police Department. Sergeant Rowland took care of Bo, including taking him home, where even his kids fell in love with him. They played educational games together to train the pup’s senses in their free time.
A Long Heritage
Many people notice that Bo isn’t the typical police breed. While it is true that modern police departments recruit and train breeds like German shepherds, bloodhounds have a long heritage in police work dating back to the early 1900s, when one bloodhound was said to have found more than 600 convicts.
An Impressive Track Record
Bo has made his ancestors proud by finding two missing persons in two separate cases. One was an 11-year-old with autism, and the other was an elderly person suffering from dementia. He’s even been involved with saving a toddler who was held at knifepoint. With so many achievements, it’s predicted that Bo will go on to have a successful and lengthy career at the police department.
Showing Courage
American Humane has stated that Sergeant Rowland and Bo have worked tirelessly and have shown off their courage and the bloodhound’s amazing capacity to pick up on a scent. The award couldn’t have been given to a more deserving dog than Bo.
Source:
Law Enforcement and First Responder
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