Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Police Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Commission Districts
Canine Retirement - Official Retirement of K-9 Fury to His Handler.
Body
Information Contact: Greg A. Padrick, Chief of Police
Phone Number: (770) 724-7440
PURPOSE:
To consider approving the immediate retirement of canine Fury (K-9 Fury); and to consider approving the transfer of ownership to retired Master Police Officer S.L. Eshleman, the canine’s former trainer; and to consider authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.
NEED/IMPACT:
K-9 Fury began service with the DeKalb County Police Department in January 2024 and assigned a handler. The team worked together until November 2025. Following the reassignment of K-9 Fury’s previous handler, K-9 Unit leadership evaluated the canine for continued service. During the evaluation, the Unit’s canine trainer reported ongoing safety concerns related to K-9 Fury’s behavior, including an incident in which the handler was bitten. Although additional training and corrective actions were implemented, the behavior continued.
Based on K-9 Fury’s demonstrated temperament and handling requirements, K-9 Unit leadership determined that reassignment to another handler would present an unacceptable safety risk. Additionally, the unit does not currently have an experienced handler available who could safely resume the training responsibility of K-9 Fury.
The K-9 Unit respectfully recommends the retirement of K-9 Fury and the transfer of ownership to retired Master Police Officer S. L. Eshleman, the canine’s former trainer, whose familiarity with K-9 Fury provides the safest and most appropriate outcome for the Department and the canine.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the immediate retirement of K-9 Fury; and to approve the transfer of ownership to retired Master Police Officer S.L. Eshleman, the canine’s former trainer, and to approve the resolution and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.