Sheriff’s Office retires K‑9 Ranger; board transfers ownership to handler

The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of K‑9 Ranger, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office canine, to his long‑time handler, Deputy Joshua Stannis, for $1 so the dog can retire with his handler’s family.

Sheriff Shannon Moon introduced Sergeant Jason Klinkenbeard to summarize Ranger’s career: born in France in 2017, trained at Alliance Protection Dogs and later DTAC Canine, purchased with Rudiger Foundation support in May 2020 and paired with Deputy Stannis. Klinkenbeard described Ranger’s operational training and community outreach, and recounted a 2020 call where Ranger apprehended an armed subject, a deployment Klinkenbeard said likely prevented use of lethal force.

“We would like to thank the Rudiger Foundation for both their past and continued support of our canine program,” Klinkenbeard said. Renee Bartels, president of the Rudiger Foundation, told the board the volunteer foundation has funded 10 canines and will continue to support retiring animals.

Sheriff Moon told the board the program is expanding: the Rudiger Foundation has approved funding for a new canine and the Sheriff’s Office is recruiting additional handlers. The resolution to transfer ownership and authorize execution of the agreement passed on a roll call vote with all supervisors voting yes.

The board observed Ranger at chambers and presented a commemorative coin and a retirement shadow box to the handler.