After his handler abandoned him at an animal shelter, a police dog who served with the Jackson Police Department for nine years was recently discovered.

Ringo the Labrador Retriever retired in October, so his former trailer was taken aback when he learned the dog was at the Madison, Mississippi animal shelter and available for adoption.

Randy Hare, the K9’s former trainer, saw Ringo’s photo on the shelter’s website and was shocked to learn the dog’s handler had abandoned him. He stated to WKRC:

“I’m not sure if there’s a word for being both hurt and angry, but I was both. And I am still. You just don’t turn your back on something that’s been with you for nine years, you know? The next thing we knew, we received a call from a Madison animal shelter informing us that Ringo had been placed there. And available for adoption.”

At the time of his retirement, Ringo was praised for his contributions to the city and his assistance in numerous drug busts. The Jackson Police Department said in a statement that it, too, was shocked by their officer’s actions and that it “respects and holds our canines in high regard, just as we do any other officer within our department.” They are family, and we believe they are entitled to a loving retirement home.”

As a result of Ringo’s situation, the department has announced that it will conduct quarterly welfare checks on all police dogs, whether active-duty or retired, according to WLBT.

According to the Clarion Ledger, the officer who surrendered Ringo to the shelter was demoted to patrol duty.

And what about Ringo? Hare promptly came up and adopted the K9 he had helped train all those years before. The retired police canine is currently settling into his new life.

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