Wonderful news concerning K-9 Nero, who was found malnourished with missing fur.
His original handler, former Jonesborough Police Department officer, Tammy Ray, will be reuniting with him and adopting him!!
“I only worked with him for a year, but we bonded great,” said Tammy. “He was great at alerting on narcotics, searching buildings, tracking, and apprehension work. He was like a bullet in training taking down the bad guy. Our bond was strong. On the way to work, we would pass pastures of cows and I would say ‘Here’s your friends!’ He would bark like he was saying hey. When we worked at night, we would listen to Delilah on the radio. I would sing and he would bark, I’m not sure if he barked so he couldn’t hear me sing or barked cause he was singing with me.”
When Tammy left the department, she wasn’t able to take Nero because he was still a working dog.
“I was very sad I had to leave K9 Nero behind,” recalled Tammy. “My decision to leave the department had nothing to do with him. After I left Jonesborough, another K9 Officer had him until he got another handler. I went by and checked on him and played ball with him. He loves his toys. Once he got a new handler I stopped seeing him. I would have never thought I could have been so lucky to have gotten a K9 like him. He was a great Public Relations K9. Nero is the reason I searched so hard and drove 12 hours to find another Dutch Shepherd with the same temperament and such a loving heart.”
According to official records, Nero was sold to the Town of Unicoi Police Department in 2022 to continue working with Officer Nick Hughes – who had taken the job as Police Chief with the Unicoi Police Department.
I am working on finding out how Nero ended up in someone else’s care after leaving the department.
Tammy was devastated to hear about his condition.
“I was mad at first,” said Tammy. “Then I saw a picture of what he looked like. My heart broke, I cried just thinking about the awful condition he was in and wondering how, why could someone do this to a partner — you were supposed to have his back. I went the next day to see him. I cried even more. Nero has a heart of gold, he is such a good boy and a great partner. I still can’t get my head wrapped around on how could you treat your partner like garbage.”
Tammy is thrilled she and Nero will soon be back together.
“I can’t wait to get him home where he belongs,” said Tammy. “He is going to be loved on, spoiled as much or more than my other babies are. I have a Shih Tzu, Dutchie and a German Shepherd also. This mama can’t wait to bring her boy home!”