Rutherford Co. Sheriff's K-9 Showered in Christmas Gifts

Dec 21, 2012 at 10:46 am by bryan


Sheriff’s bloodhound Ethel experienced the joy of receiving when Georgia Career Institute’s staff and students showered her with Christmas presents.

Ethel received pigs’ ears, tennis balls, squeaky toys and food, said K-9 Sgt. Lee Young.

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“She looked like a little kid at Christmas,” Young said as a broad smile crossed his face.

Ethel and her K-9 handler, Deputy Michael Romans, search for missing children and adults and conduct rescues. The team has responded to about 40 searches this year, leading Deputy Romans to be named the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office’s Officer of the Year.

GCI admissions director Joyce Myers said Sgt. Young, Deputy Romans and other K-9 deputies respond to the school to conduct drug searches when requested. In appreciation, Myers and owner Joyce Meadows decided the school would adopt Ethel for the next year. Also, students raise funds for Exploited and Missing Children and Ethel finds missing children.

The school will donate $100 per month for 2013 for Ethel’s care.

Deputy Romans said the money will be used to pay for food, veterinarian bills and training supplies.

Myers, who loves, animals said the staff and students love Ethel. She urged other businesses to adopt one of the sheriff’s office’s nine K-9s by contacting Sgt. Young at 898-7770.

"They just can’t have Ethel,” Myers said with a hearty laugh.

Photo: Georgia Career Institute student Amber Alali snuggles with sheriff’s bloodhound Ethel and her handler, Deputy Michael Romans.

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