Sheriff’s department K-9 diagnosed with cancer

One of Shawano County’s two K-9 units was taken out of commission as of Wednesday after the dog was diagnosed with cancer, according to the sheriff’s department.

According to a Facebook post from Sheriff Adam Bieber, K-9 Cody has been taken out of service permanently and will spend his early retirement with his handler Deputy Nathan Thornborrow.

Cody had breathing issues starting in January, which led to multiple veterinarian visits and testing, Bieber said.

In February, two masses were removed from his nasal passage.

“We received the test results last week indicating the mass was large cell lymphoma,” Bieber said.

Although lymphoma isn’t uncommon in that the location, aggression rating of the cells and age of Cody make it extremely rare, he said.

“Due to the location of the cancer in his nasal passage, his ability to pass air through his nose is considerably restricted, which has led to this difficult decision,” Bieber said.

Cody was seen by an oncologist in Madison, after a full-body CT scan and other testing, another cancer mass was located in his colon. Cody has begun an aggressive 17-week chemotherapy program.

“Though this diagnosis is terminal, we hope with chemo and other treatments we can give him some enjoyable time during his short retirement,” Bieber said. “If the cancer responds well to treatment, there is the possibility of putting it into remission. How long the remission is can’t be answered.”

Cody, who is just shy of 6 years old, and Thornborrow have served together for about 3 years.

Bieber said in an interview Thursday that the department plans to replace Cody with the help of Supporters of Shawano K-9 Inc., a nonprofit, community-run organization that has been raising funds for the unit for six years.

The County Board has not approved making the K-9 unit part of the department’s budget. However, Bieber noted, savings in vehicle purchases has freed up funds that have been used for training and other K-9 unit support.

Until Cody is replaced, the department will rely on its other dog, K-9 Getty, and collaboration when needed with other departments that also have canines, Bieber said, including the Shawano, Pulaski, Marion and Clintonville police departments.