An Ulster County police K-9 is retiring following a distinguished career in the Hudson Valley.

On Friday, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office announced the retirement of K-9 Drago. The rigors of police dog service and some medical complications forced Drago to step aside as one of the best ever in the field, police say.

K-9 Drago was donated to the sheriff’s office at just ten weeks old by an local breeder. He served for eight years.

Drago is credited with finding hundreds of decks of heroin, several hundred grams of cocaine and over one hundred pounds of marijuana. He is also responsible for the seizure of more than $275,000 from multiple drug cases, located several handguns used in serious crimes and tracked and apprehended numerous suspects.

Most notably, Drago tracked two suspects that fled after assaulting a member of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office.

Drago was also loved by children and in the community as he participated in many demonstrations at many Ulster County businesses and schools.

“The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Drago for his years of dedicated and exemplary service to the citizens of Ulster County and this agency,” the sherrif’s office wrote on Facebook. “K-9 Drago will enjoy his retirement living with his family.”

Drago was raised by his handler, Sergeant Wallace Fulford, who oversees the agency's K-9 program. The sheriff’s office recently purchased three new K-9s that are currently in patrol and narcotics schools. Upon graduation, all three K-9’s will eventually assume the role of dual-purpose canines.

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