Prince Albert, one of the working bloodhounds with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, officially retired on Tuesday.
In a ceremony complete with a paw-shaped cake and gifts for Albert, as he is more commonly known, Sheriff Bill Farmer spoke to the crowd noting that Albert had been with the sheriff’s office since 2008. He is the first dog to retire.
Albert has had a busy career tracking inmates, suspects and missing children.
“Bloodhounds have such a great nose,” said Farmer. “They can track a much colder trace than German shepherds.”
The sheriff said Albert had done a great job and deserved to enjoy retirement.
“Albert will be 10 years old next year,” said handler Corporal Justin Brannen. “We’ve had him since he was six months old.”
A back surgery early this year, although successful, has left Albert unable to track full out.
“He’s got the heart, ability and drive to keep going,” said Brannen. “You can tell he still wants to.”
Albert worked the celebration, sniffing every person and object he could get to.
“But we have taken him on some short tracks and you can tell his body just can’t do it. He wants to do it, but to let him do any more tracking would risk him getting hurt and needing the surgery all over again,” Brannen said.
Albert will continue to live at the sheriff’s compound in Bushnell with the other dogs that are part of the team. He will be cared for by the same handlers that have trained and taken care of him while an active tracker. However, now he will be the one sporting a special tag with his name and retirement date.