Redmond police dog Arco nears end of busy career

Meet 8-year-old Redmond Police Department tracking dog Arco.

“We spend a lot of time together,” Arco’s handler, Sgt. Hank Majetich said Tuesday.
Majetich spends more than 50 hours a week with Arco, and calls him a huge asset to the department.

“He is probably one of the top five dogs, as far as ability to go forth and find people. And so his drive is way up there — he wants to work and be successful,” Majetich said.

Just in the past week, Arco was called out to a home burglary and found a suspect hiding in the attic. he also was successful in finding a high-speed pursuit suspect.

Majeitch said Arco’s accuracy is all based on scent.

“He knows a certain scent of someone who has maybe been involved in a crime, and he is tuned into that so he can find that person,” Majetich said.

But Majetich said Arco, who gets called out an average of 20 times a month, will soon retire his badge.

“He is a pretty active and aggressive dog, so he is kind of paying for what he did as a youth,” the sergeant said. “And he is real dynamic — and when you get older, he starts to feel those things. So he is starting to slow down a little bit, and we are looking to replace him in the next year or so.”

Within the next year, Majetich said, he will work to raise $10,000 to replace Arco.

“What is unique in Central Oregon is the K-9 handlers all throughout the Deschutes County area, we typically raise our own money. That takes that burden off the city,” he said.

Even though another K-9 companion will take Arco’s place, Majetich said he will always be family for the police force.

“We’re all going to miss Arco. I’ve heard some comments that when he retires, it’s going to be tough to replace him because of how he works and how friendly he is,” Majetich said.

And after Arco retires, Majetich is hoping to adopt his canine partner.

The Redmond Police Department is holding an event this weekend to help raise money for Arco’s replacement.

For more information and how to donate, visit the Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/RedmondFriendsofK9.