The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 19 that K-9 “Bo” has died after being diagnosed with cancer.
K-9 “Bo” joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2019, having been born in the Netherlands and later purchased from Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania. He was trained locally for narcotics detection and assigned to work at the Correctional Facility. According to the department, he became a familiar presence throughout the facility.
The department said, “He was a fixture throughout the facility and will be greatly missed.” The office also extended condolences to his handler, Correction Officer Merzuc Hozanavic, as well as Hozanavic’s family and members of the K9 Unit during this period.
K-9 units play an important role in law enforcement agencies by assisting with drug detection and maintaining security within correctional facilities. The loss of a working dog can have a significant impact on both staff morale and daily operations.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed its support for those affected by Bo’s passing: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his handler, Correction Officer Merzuc Hozanavic, his family, and his fellow members of the K9 Unit during this difficult time.”
