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K9 put down due to complications from back surgery
A slew of medical problems is forcing the Coos County Sheriff’s Office to say goodbye to one of its most beloved members — K-9 Neeko. Complications from back surgery have left the sheriff’s office no option but to put down its tracking and patrol apprehension dog. Purchased in 2012 using a grant from the Bureau of Land Management, Deputy Adam Slater said Neeko was responsible for 18 person finds, including locating guns and stolen property, in his two-year career before nerve problems arose. “About five and a half months ago, we discovered Neeko had a pinched nerve under his L7 vertabrae,” Slater said.
“He was not able to jump up, and being able to jump is definitely a required part of being a police dog.” After going back to the vet for steroid injections proved fruitless, Slater said the sheriff’s office opted for back surgery, with fusion of the vertebrae giving Neeko an 80 percent chance of returning to full duty. “In the process of surgery, a nerve was accidentally clipped and since then, Neeko just hasn’t been the same,” Slater said.After the sheriff’s office had to spring for another medical procedure, it ultimately deemed it would have to put the German shepherd to sleep, much to the sadness of the deputies. “Everyone is feeling pretty bad about it because he’s one of us,” Slater said. “It definitely feels like we’re losing one of us.” With the loss of Neeko, Slater said the sheriff’s office is currently looking at a number of options to raise the $8,000 to $10,000 needed to purchase a new K-9. “The methods are still in inception, but we’re looking at the Egyptian Theatre as fundraiser,” Slater said. “One of the other deputies’ wives also started a GoFundMe campaign, which is still in its early stages. The sheriff is looking at going before the commissioners to try get support and funding.” In the meantime, the sheriff’s office will have to rely on cooperation with other local law enforcement agencies, which have been supportive since Neeko first started experiencing medical problems. “Neeko is specifically an apprehension and patrol dog and in Coos County, we have three total patrol dogs,” Slater said. “Coos Bay has two and we had one with Neeko. Coos Bay is really good about coming out when we need it, but having a dog really makes it easier because you’re still releasing an officer to come out with the K-9.” With the K-9 unit an integral part of law enforcement, Slater hopes to be able to raise the funds quickly, though he understands it may be difficult given the current economic climate. “My personal hope is turning it around in 30 days or at least searching for a dog in 30 days,” Slater said. “The reality of it is everyone is hurting for cash. A real picture is probably six months and that’s a more realistic goal.”
