A rescue dog from Kentucky went from being a shelter dog to being a police department’s first ever ‘paw-trol officer’.
The pit bull mix, named Bolo, became Hopkinsville Police Department (HPD) first ‘paw-trol officer’ after being sworn in by the city’s mayor, Mayor James R. Knight Jr., on November 7.
The three-year-old Bolo was only supposed to visit HPD to participate in a program called “Paw-trol Wednesday”.
According to the HPD, the program was launched in mid-October to showcase a different shelter dog each week, on Wednesdays, to let them interact with people, and to increase their chances of getting adopted.
In October, Bolo, who was from the Christmas County Animal Shelter, spent a day at HDP. But even though he was only there for a day, Bolo definitely stole the hearts of everyone at HPD.
HPD Police Chief Jason Newby recalls, “So when it came time for him to go back that day, they got him in his cage, and he kind of dropped his head and whimpered, and everybody’s heart melted, and we decided to adopt him.”
“Once Bolo started being comfortable and playing with everybody, everybody was asking, ‘Can we adopt him? Can we keep him?’” Royale Marfil, a public information officer at the HPD told The Dodo.
It is safe to say the “Paw-trol Wednesday” program was working, because after a day of Bolo’s Paw-trol Wednesday, the Police Department revealed that the pooch has found his fur-ever home.
“Bolo is now a member of the HPD family! He’s fitting in just fine with our officers and staff with plenty of play time, belly rubs and most importantly, NAPS,” the Police Department wrote in a Facebook post update.
Marfil tells The Dodo that Bolo knew he was getting adopted when she drove him to PetSmart to buy a collar and toys.
But Bolo’s Gotcha Day didn’t end there! On November 08, Bolo was officially welcomed to the team and was sworn in as the Police Department’s first ever Paw-trol Officer!
The HPD posted a video on Facebook of the moment Bolo got sworn in. He took his oath, which read, “I, Bolo, do solemnly swear to support the citizens of the City of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, as I serve as Paw-trol Dog,” the pooch sealed it in with his inky paw print!
The Dodo reveals that contrary to other working police dogs in the department, Bolo is expected only of one thing, and that’s to be himself!
Marfil reveals, “If you pet him, he will smile. If you’re having a bad day, he’s got the biggest smile for you.”
