The Guilford County Board of Commissioners is going to the dogs.
But not in a bad way.
On Thursday evening, April 15, the commissioners will pay tribute to a hero dog that has served the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department for seven years and is now stepping down so that younger pups will have their chance to serve.
According to information from the Sheriff’s Department, Gage, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, is trained in “explosives detection, criminal apprehension, tracking, suspect scouting (building and area searches for people) and has extensive training in conducting SERT [Special Emergency Response Team] operations.”
Gage has been willing to work for other area law enforcement agencies as well when called upon to do so. The dog assisted the High Point Police Department many times in searches and sweeps – and has even worked the furniture market.
Gage has done so without ever asking for a raise, or even a paycheck.
The dog has also been at every Wyndham Championship except one, working as a bomb dog. (Gage wasn’t needed for the last golf tournament because the COVID-19 pandemic meant almost no spectators attended.)
Lori Poag, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department said that Gage’s favorite work toy is a piece of fire hose.
The last time that a dog made an appearance before the commissioners was years ago when Susie was a special guest. Susie is a Pitbull mix that was beaten burned and left for dead in a Greensboro park before being rescued and nursed back to health. A strengthened North Carolina law against animal cruelty known as “Susie’s Law” was named after Susie.
Seems like the dog wouldn’t ask for a raise or paycheck when all his needs are being financially meet. Roam and board, top quality food oh and free health care for life. The dog even gets invited to board meetings. Also when he dies will get a full free congregational burial.