A deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has a new K-9 partner after her previous partner was forced to retire.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office welcomed K-9 Vader, a 15-month-old German Shepherd, to its team last week.
According to the sheriff’s office, HBK-9 donated Vader to PCSO after hearing Deputy Natalie Oestreich and K-9 Ace’s story.
In August, K-9 Ace was shot in the chest. Due to the injury, his left front leg was amputated.
K-9 Ace recovered from the surgery, but he was forced to retire.
Herb Bennett from HBK-9 said he reached out to the chain of command and offered to donate Oestreich’s replacement dog.
“We just went through the selection process, and I gave Natalie first choice out of all the dogs I showed, and she has selected her replacement dog,” Bennett said. “I’m glad to be a part of this process.”
“After K9 Ace was forced to retire following being shot in the line of duty, Natalie is ready to begin this next chapter with her new partner!” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.