Steak dinner for retiring Kamloops RCMP police dog

Photo: RCMP

Fargo in green tactical police vest

A retiring Kamloops police dog was treated to a steak dinner this week after his last day on the force.

K9 member Fargo wore his tactical police vest for the last time on Tuesday. He started his retirement off right, enjoying a steak in celebration of his last day.

“He's been a true buddy and companion,” RCMP Cpl. Steven Prior, Fargo’s handler and long-time partner, said in a news release.

“The amount of time we spent together in a Suburban during horrible storms and late nights is unbelievable to most. But even though many drives were long and tough, it was nice when the sun came up and it was just me and him cruising the highway.”

Fargo turned eight this year — about 56 in dog years. He was born at the Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alta.

Fargo and Prior spent the last five years working together in Kamloops but, before that, the pair worked together in Newfoundland.

While Fargo’s main duties consisted of responding to calls in Kamloops, he was also a member of the RCMP’s emergency response team (ERT) for southeast British Columbia.

According to the RCMP, Fargo is credited with a number of important collars during his time as a Mountie. He also helped find missing people and located important evidence.

“He is definitely a dog that had your back,” Prior said.

“Whenever I would be at an ERT call, he would always face the direction behind me to keep me safe. I tried to change this, but no way would he change.”

Later this month, Fargo will be adopted by new owners so he can enjoy a relaxing retirement.

Those wishing to help support Fargo in his new journey are invited to donate to Ned’s Wish, a charity dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for retired police dogs by providing financial support for their medical well-being.