Drug-sniffing McHenry County Sheriff's K-9 also gives hugs

WOODSTOCK – When accosted by a group of children, the McHenry County Sheriff's new police dog did something other K-9s on the force wouldn't: He rolled over.

Bo, a 2-year-old bloodhound, is the newest four-legged deputy with the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Unlike the department's two other police K-9's, Bo's been socialized so people other than Bo's handler can approach him.

While Bo's bark might be worse than his bite, his friendly demeanor shouldn't be taken for weakness, his handler Sgt. Dan Patenaude said.

[ PHOTOS: McHenry County Sheriff's K-9 gives hugs ]

“He’s trained for narcotics detection, for finding drugs, everything from marijuana to cocaine to heroin, meth,” Patenaude said. “He’s also trained for tracking, search and rescue, area search, article searches. He’s trained basically in every avenue of every police dog except for the aggression and bite work.”

Bo has been on the job full-time for about six weeks. His designation as a friendly, or passive, police dog means that he can go to events such as the summer morning movie at the Woodstock Classic Cinemas theater. Outside the theater Wednesday, 5-year-old Brooklyn Krejci of Woodstock approached Bo with her grandparents, Patty and Tom Neuman of Wonder Lake.

"I wanted to pet him right when I saw him," Brooklyn said.

Brooklyn hesitated before Patenaude said Bo could be pet. She ran her hand along his back until Bo stood up and wrapped his front legs around Tom Neuman, landing a slobbery kiss on his cheek. One of the biggest differences between Bo and the German shepherds on the force – beside his droopy eyes, floppy ears and howl – is that he likes to give hugs, Patenaude said.

A few minutes later in the theater lobby, dozens of children flocked inside while Bo stood dutifully next to his partner. That is until Patenaude told some hesitant children they could pet Bo, at which point Bo rolled onto his back on the floor while nearly a dozen tiny hands scratched his belly.

If Bo were like his other K-9 counterparts?

"I wouldn't let him do this," Patenaude said.

Having a police dog that can interact with children and the community is good for the department, Patenaude said. And Sheriff Bill Prim's decision to add a friendly police dog came at the right time.

Bo had been given to Grayslake training facility TOPS Kennels after his owner was deployed in the military, Patenaude said. The kennel donated him to the sheriff's office, and he went through 16 weeks of training, which cost the department $8,000.

He should work for up to a decade. Afterward, he'll have a couple good years of retirement at the Patenaude family home, where he's already made a connection by teaching their adopted German shepherd, Scout, to play.
Patenaude wants to see some good drug busts along the way, but right now his first wish is for something else.

"I just hope to be able to interact more with the public with him. To be able to have that hands-on experience of a police dog," Patenaude said. "I think it's great to see them work and see the things they do. It's very hard to not run up to a dog and pet it. So to have that, is awesome."