The Fort Atkinson Police Department has announced, with reluctance, the retirement of the community’s four-legged officer, K-9 Bolt, following emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage.
Police Chief Adrian Bump said that in May, Bolt began to show signs of health issues and immediately was transported to UW Veterinary Care in Madison, where he underwent emergency surgery that removed a foreign object causing a complete intestinal blockage.
Bolt has spent the past eight weeks recovering from the operation and has improved to his normal happy playful self, the chief said.
UW veterinarians confirmed that Bolt’s recovery will ensure a long and healthy life as he transitions to serve others outside a career in law enforcement.
Although the department is upset to lose this great resource and beloved agent of positive service within the community, it is excited to announce that Bolt already is set to serve in a new way, Bump said.
Bolt soon with be moving to Iowa, where he will become a service dog for a retired Marine Corps veteran.
With the help of Jessifany Canine LLC kennel, from which Bolt originally was purchased in 2018, Bolt will be trained and certified to comfort and serve as a companion to a well-deserving veteran and his family, noted Bump, adding that Bolt will enjoy a great retirement as a family pet while still serving a strong positive purpose.
“Although we are losing a great companion and asset with the agency, this retirement helps remind us how lucky we are at the police department to have the support and help from our citizens,” Chief Bump said. “Without community support, the reality of a K-9 Unit would never have blessed our agency.”
The Fort Atkinson Police K-9 Unit has been funded fully through donations and fundraising. The K-9 fund, which is managed through the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, will stay intact, with monies in that account to be used in the future to acquire the next police dog that will serve the community.
Purchased in February 2018, Bolt was the department’s second K-9 officer. Then 1 ½ years old, Bolt is a purebred Belgium Malinois that was imported from the Czech. Republic.
Bolt was a dual-purpose K-9, meaning that he was trained in narcotics detection, protection/apprehension, tracking and evidence recovery.
Fort Atkinson Police Department K-9 Officer “Bolt” and his handler, Officer Ben Boeve, pose for photographs. Bolt joined the force in 2018. The Fort Atkinson Police Department has announced his retirement from law enforcement following surgery for an intestinal blockage. Photo courtesy of the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation.
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