Congrats, K-9 Zak: This Maine Police Dog is Retiring

Zak was a good boy. A very, very brave and good boy.

And after close to a decade of service in South Portland, Maine, the K-9 is retiring from active police duty. In a post on their Facebook page, the South Portland Police department wrote:

We would like to thank K-9 Zak for 8 ½ years of distinguished service to the South Portland Police Department and to his handler Sgt. Stephenson.
Thank you K-9 Zak for serving the citizens of Cumberland and York counties with over 600 calls for service, ensuring the safety of our officers each and every day and making sure your partner went home safely every night. You can now take your much deserved rest. K-9 Zak is 10-7 and clear for retirement.
Good boy Zak!

Residents responded with a mix of happiness and sadness that they’d no longer see Zak on duty.

Said one:

"Zak is the coolest K9 ever. Thank you for your service, Zak... you will be missed. I hope Zak will be spoiled rotten by the Stephenson family for the rest of his days!"

Added another:

"Congratulations on your you, K-9 Zak, well deserved retirement…Haven fun, enjoy your naps and thank you for dedication and service to your community!"

And now that he’s settling down, it appears Zak could have a new “partner,” as one resident posted:

"Our dog met Zak on a walk one night down at Bug Light Park... he was new on the job, she thought he was pretty cute."

With his newfound spare time, Zak could also pursue hobbies, like the dog from New Hampshire that just learned to ride a scooter around the neighborhood.