One of Gwinnett’s hardest-working police dogs is hanging up his collar. K9 Nitro is stepping back after eight years helping keep the county safe.
🚓 What’s Happening: Nitro, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Special Operations Division, is retiring on a vet’s advice due to age-related heat sensitivity and mobility issues. He’ll live with his handler, Sgt. Brian E. Doan.
- His record: 353 calls, 64 apprehensions, 35 narcotics finds, 73 evidence finds, nearly 2,000 training hours, three Officer of the Month awards, and recognition from the District Attorney’s Office.
🧠 Between the Lines: Georgia heat is rough on aging working dogs. Departments balance public safety with the health of seasoned K9s to prevent injuries and heat stress.
⏪ Catch Up Quick: Nitro served alongside Gwinnett officers for most of a decade. As K9 Nitro retires at home with Sgt. Doan, K9 Ace prepares to join the unit later this year.
🌐 The Big Picture: Police dogs are force multipliers. They track suspects, find drugs and evidence fast, and can turn hours of searching into minutes. Most retire around age 8 to 10 so they can live out their years in comfort after intense service.
The Sources: Gwinnett County Police Department.
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B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
