Category Archives: Uncategorized

K9 Automobile License Plates Are Available

We are thrilled to announce the K9 License Plates are now for sale through the Nevada DMV! This has been a long road and we’re so excited to see our great looking plate ready to ride on your car or truck or whatever vehicle you chose to show your support for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office K9s.

As announced earlier, all proceeds from the sale of these specialty plates will go toward the building of a training facility in Reno. This building will help to improve the high quality skills of our K9s and others within the region.

To get your plate now or when you renew your plates, go to your local DMV and ask for the K9 Specialty Plate. It should be displayed on their wall. It will look like the photo above.

K9 Kyago Retires

Photo by Mike Lucido, Eighty8 Studios

01/03/24- Today, K9 Kyago ended his service with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office after almost 8 years as Deputy Dunham’s partner.

We are going to miss you, Kyago! But we are so happy to wish you a very happy retirement. You have earned a promotion to the position of “King of the Couch”! Such a Good Boy!

The following is from the WCSO’s Facebook page:

Today, Sheriff Balaam hosted a ceremony for the retirement of K9 Kyago after seven years of loyal service to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and our community.
In 2016, K9 Kyago was partnered with Deputy Dunham and completed his training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana before joining the WCSO. Kyago served as a dual-purpose K9, trained in narcotics detection, subject apprehension, and tracking.
Kyago had a tremendous career serving in both the patrol division and on the Northern Nevada Interdiction Task Force alongside his partner, Deputy Dunham.
Kyago played a crucial role in removing millions of dollars worth of illicit narcotics from our streets and, with his social disposition, was always a crowd favorite at community events.
“Our K9s not only help to ensure the safety of our community, but they are beloved members of our office who bring our community together,” said Sheriff Balaam. “On behalf of the entire Sheriff’s Office, thank you for your dedicated service, Kyago! Enjoy your well-earned retirement with your family.”

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Is Coming!

Actually, however you celebrate this holiday season, we’re wishing you the best of the holidays, be it Yule, Hannukah, Kwanza, or Christmas. There are so many traditions but most all of them hope for a peaceful and loving holiday.

For us at K9 Partners, we’re going to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with our K9s! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

RIP K9 Rony

We were saddened today to learn that K9 Rony has passed. He was a sweetheart of a dog and a favorite with the community. The Sheriff’s Office posted this earlier today:

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office honors the life and service of retired K9 Rony. K9 Rony was a beloved member of the WCSO K9 team and bravely served our community for six years alongside his partner, retired Sergeant Jason Wood.

K9 Rony was dual-certified in narcotics detection, patrol work, tracking, and article searches. During his service, he participated in countless community and school events and was well known and loved for his gentle disposition.

Rony was a cherished member of his family and will be greatly missed.
Rest easy, K9 Rony; we honor your tremendous service to our community.

“Born to love, trained to serve, loyal to the end.”

Our sympathy to Sgt. Wood and his family on the loss of this much-loved K9.

Great Barks & Badges Event!

Wow! What a great day we had at Barks & Badges. Thank you everybody for coming out to enjoy the event. The K9s and equines did wonderful demos. Our new dogs, Otto and Brutus got their first experience of being in front of an audience and they did admirably. I think they were a little excited, but still followed instructions.

We had some great vendors and booths with information from Washoe County Service and the First Responders. Many people stopped by to say hello and purchase our new K9 tee shirts. Thank you so much! All the proceeds from the sales go to provide for our Washoe County K9s!

License plate design for K9 Partners plate.

At this event, we officially announced a new and exciting project! K9 Partners has been approved for a Nevada license plate. We hope everyone will show their support by purchasing this new plate when it becomes available. Yes, it adds a little extra to your car registration but the money will go toward our planned K9 Training Center for Northern Nevada. This is a needed facility for the deputies and dogs to get all the training to help them better serve our communities.

For more information about the license plates, go to our new License Plate page. You can sign up for our information mailing list at license@k9partners.org

RIP K9 Murphy

K9 Murphy at Barks and Badges 2019, his last appearance at this event before his retirement.

All of us at K9 Partners are deeply saddened by the news we received yesterday, May 30th, 2023, of K9 Murphy’s passing. He seemed an unlikely law enforcement dog, but he was a great drug dog and the absolute best meet-and-greet dog. Kids and adults loved him and he loved the attention. He was a hit at every demo he did. Our deepest sympathy to Captain Gamboa and his family on their loss.