After years of diligent duty sniffing out illegal drugs and rescuing earthquake survivors, 61 police dogs in Ecuador are finally turning in their badges.
The loyal pups were celebrated in an official ceremony in Quito on Wednesday that included an honor band and a red carpet.
It also included a solemn moment in which the officers prayed for their canine partners and remembered those who had been killed in the line of duty.
A police dog plays for the last time with his handler before being handed over to his new owners in an official ceremony where 61 police retired in Quito, Ecuador on Wednesday
Police officers remove the badges that identified dogs as police dogs, during the official retirement ceremony
The loyal pups were also treated to a red carpet and an honor band. A newly retired police dogs sits with his new family after the ceremony
After shaking hands with their handlers, each dog was then walked down the red carpet to his new family as the band played Ecuador’s national anthem.
The majority of the dogs – Labradors, German shepherds and Golden Retrievers on the whole – are being taken in by their former trainers.
But the rest were adopted by supportive families who had to go through a rigorous selection process.
The majority of the dogs – Labradors, German shepherds and Golden Retrievers on the whole – are being taken in by their former trainers
Anahi and her new dog Osi leave el Centro de Adiestramiento Canino. New families had to go through a rigorous selecton process before they could bring the dogs home
Ecuador police wanted to ensure that each canine, who on average served for about nine years, had a dignified retirement in a loving home
They even had to get their home inspected before adopting one of the precious dogs.
Ecuador police said they wanted to ensure that each canine had a dignified retirement in a loving home.
On average, police dogs in Ecuador serve for about nine years total.
Canine police officer Nicki and his new family Boris Almeida and his wife rest together after attending the ceremony
After shaking hands with their handlers, each dog was walked down the red carpet to his new family as the band played Ecuador’s national anthem
A police officer receives his new pet after the adorable pup is walked down the red carpet during the ceremony
Most of their work revolves around finding cocaine that is smuggled through the country.
But 16 of the dogs that retired in this week’s ceremony helped locate victims trapped under rubble following a 2016 earthquake that left more than 600 people dead.
One officer said he was sad to see his canine partner go, but was happy that the dog was being taken in by a loving home.
And he planned to stay in touch, of course.
Sixteen of the dogs retired in this week’s ceremony helped locate victims trapped under rubble following a 2016 earthquake that left more than 600 people dead
Luis Landazury and Rick, the new member of his family, leave el Centro de Adiestramiento Canino after the official ceremony