Many of America’s bravest dogs have recently received accolades for their remarkable contributions to society, with one standing out as a notable winner.
Bo, a police dog from the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina, has earned the esteemed American Humane Hero Dog Award. Alongside his handler, Sgt. David Rowland, this 18-month-old canine has been saving lives since he began his career in October 2023, successfully locating a missing elderly person with dementia and a young boy aged 11 who has autism.
In January, Bo showcased his exceptional tracking skills by finding robbery suspects despite challenging scent conditions. In May, he played a crucial role in locating a 7-year-old child who had been abducted at knifepoint.
“We are thrilled to announce Bo as American Humane’s newest Hero Dog; he and his handler David truly deserve this recognition,” said Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane, in a press statement. “Their hard work and dedication have saved numerous lives thanks to Bo’s bravery and remarkable scent-tracking abilities. This award is designed to highlight such inspiring tales of determination and commitment.”
Bo will be honored at the 14th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards and Gala in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 8, alongside four other exceptional canine heroes.
What are the American Humane Hero Dog Awards?
The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is a yearly national competition that honors “America’s outstanding dogs” known for their heroic deeds, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, assisting humans with disabilities, or helping others achieve their aspirations, as stated on the American Humane website.
This year’s competition began earlier in June with hundreds of inspiring dog nominations from around the nation. Five semi-finalists in each of the five categories were selected, allowing the public to vote for their favorite canine hero across five categories, which include:
- Law Enforcement and First Responder Dogs
- Service and Guide or Hearing Dogs
- Therapy Dogs
- Military Dogs
- Emerging Hero and Shelter Dogs
“This year’s nominees are among the most special and inspiring we’ve seen,” Robin Ganzert remarked in an exclusive statement to YSL News last month. “Each of these courageous canines exemplifies the resilience, selflessness, and unconditional love we seek in America’s top dogs.
“We are dedicated to bringing attention to these unrecognized heroes, who often go unnoticed,” she concluded.
Key Information about Bo
- Age: 18 months
- Breed: Bloodhound (male)
- Handler: Gastonia Police Department Sergeant David Rowland
- Location: Gastonia, North Carolina
- Hero Dog Awards Category: Law Enforcement & First Response
K-9 Bo became the first bloodhound to join the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina. Selected from a litter of puppies, Bo began his law enforcement journey in 2023 and has since been working hard to “solve cases, resolve crimes, and save lives” from the age of 8 months.
Unlike some of his more aggressive colleagues in the police K-9 unit, Bo is gentle and brings comfort to the people he tracks. During his very first mission, he successfully located a missing 11-year-old boy with autism and was able to soothe the frightened child while waiting for assistance.
Since that time, Bo has been instrumental in finding many lost senior citizens, a 7-year-old kidnapping victim, and even followed a scent trail from four hours earlier to locate robbery suspects.
Fun fact: Bo has a fear of Halloween decorations, as noted by his handler, Sgt. David Rowland.
