Thanks to a helping hound

By Andrea L. Buchanan ~ Southeast Missourian

One of Cape's finest officially retired Friday with a thank-you speech, a cake and a plaque after 56 years of devoted service.

Of course, he was counting in dog years.

Jupp, Cape Girardeau's police dog, has been off active duty since February. Friday, the department held a retirement party for him.

Police chief Steve Strong said the dog has already been missed.

"When you don't have something, it becomes obvious how much you miss it," he said.

Watching Jupp's enthusiastic response to a gift of a soft plastic police car after the dog ignored the plaque Strong gave him, the chief joked that he may start giving squeaky toys to other officers as a low-cost incentive program.

Injury risk

Cape Girardeau's only patrol dog was removed from the roster after a physical evaluation revealed he was in danger of injuring himself.

Arthritis is attacking the 10-year-old dog's hips. Most working dogs retire at the age of 8.

Strong said the financially strapped department was suddenly faced with finding $9,000 to pay for his replacement. But that wasn't figured into the department's budget until next year.

Then volunteers took up the cause.

As a result, the department received donations of $18,074.88, enough for two police dogs.

"I think it might say something about you that it's going to take two dogs to replace you," said Strong, addressing the dog at the less-than-formal ceremony.

Strong also thanked Southeast Missourian Jr. editor Cheryl Ellis, who spearheaded the "Pay for the Pup" fund-raising campaign that brought in the money.

Cpl. Dennis Horn, Jupp's handler, was also honored with a plaque. Horn was the first Cape Girardeau officer to use a cross-trained dog, reviving the K-9 program in 1991. Jupp started work in the department in 1994.

Horn received a promotion after Jupp's retirement. He works as a patrol commander. Jupp lives with the Horn family and is being "spoiled rotten." Horn said.

Two new K-9 officers, Paul Kesterson and Roy Rahn Jr., are being trained and are currently waiting for dogs.

Most police dogs like Jupp are imported from Eastern Europe, an area know for strict breeding standards.

Local K-9 trainer Mike Ervin orders and trains the dogs and works with the handlers.

Kesterson, who raised two German shepherds of his own, said he's looking forward to the new assignment.

"It's right up my alley," he said, "I've always been interested in dogs, especially working dogs."

Rahn, who also has a German shepherd at home, had similar sentiments.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Horn had a few words of advice for the new dog handlers:

Expect to work hard and buy industrial-sized lint rollers.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160