Baldwin Park : Canine Cop Calls It Quits

Ex, a Baldwin Park police dog with a “long and illustrious career,” was formally retired from duty last week, and $7,900 was appropriated to buy his replacement.

The City Council voted unanimously to retire the German shepherd after 5 1/2 years of work for Baldwin Park. The dog is 9 1/2 years old and will live with his handler, Officer Joe Cowan.

The council agreed to buy a new, specially trained dog that will be able to detect narcotics as well as perform regular police-canine duties. The dog will be paid for with money seized from drug dealers and forfeited to the city.