Announcement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is saddened to announce the passing of one of its own, “Maggie”, the Bloodhound K-9.  “Maggie Mae” passed away on May 2nd at 8:45 a.m. due to old age.  Maggie was fourteen years old.  She was surrounded by K9 handlers and taken to the veterinary hospital in a police K9 car.

Maggie Mae started with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1999 at eight weeks old.  She was the first Bloodhound hired in the department, receiving several awards and accolades such as the Officer of the Year in Moreno Valley, Distinguished Service Medal, AKC top tracking police dog for two years in a row, and the Hero’s Award.  She was also featured in Dog Fancy magazine for her tracking abilities and an episode of Dog Planet.  Maggie led the path of the full time Bloodhound unit which recently received the Medal of Valor.

Maggie worked hundreds of cases in the search of missing children, Alzheimer patients, and outstanding suspects.  Maggie was proven as “reliable evidence” in a death penalty homicide case in Riverside when she tracked and identified the suspect.  She also worked such noteworthy cases as the Samantha Runnion and Danielle Van Damm kidnappings.

Maggie traveled across the United States and was in the top Advanced Tracking Dog group with the National Police Bloodhound Association.  Maggie also demonstrated her tracking abilities yearly at the Canine Training Academy in Colorado.

In 2010, Maggie was recognized by the California Police Officer’s Association for starting numerous Bloodhound programs, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Singapore Police Force.

Upon her retirement, she worked full time as a babysitter to 6-year-old twins.  Maggie will be deeply missed by all of the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

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Friday, May 4, 2012

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