A Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputy and his K9 partner can stay together, even though the dog is officially retired.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on March 22 to transfer ownership of Kahr to his partner, Deputy Larry Edwards. Kahr is an 8-year-old Czech Shepherd who has helped keep Maricopa County safe since 2009. He was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease, that affects his ability to walk.
“His mind is still there, but his body just won’t let him,” Deputy Edwards said after the Board’s vote to officially retire Kahr.
Kahr and Deputy Edwards have been together since January 2014. He was trained as an Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD) and Apprehension K9. He assisted patrol with area and building searches for wanted subjects and was part of numerous SWAT team missions. He also conducted EOD sweeps for local sporting events including NCAA Championship Bowl series games and Super Bowl 49.
Kahr has demonstrated that he would fight until the end if Deputy Edwards was in danger. Since his diagnosis earlier this year, his bond with Deputy Edwards has grown even stronger. He often follows him around, from room to room, wanting to be near him. Every time he sees Deputy Edwards in uniform he gets up immediately and is ready to go to work. While the disease affects his movement, Kahr is reportedly not in any pain.