OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Retired Osceola County Sheriff’s K9 Recon will have the opportunity to peacefully live out his retirement at a K9 rescue following efforts by Osceola County Animal Services to find a solution that recognizes his years of service while meeting requirements under Florida law.
Osceola County announced that Recon will be retired to Big Mac’s K9 Rescue, bringing a positive resolution to a situation that has generated significant community interest and an outpouring of support for the longtime law enforcement K9.
Recon was honored earlier this summer with a retirement send-off recognizing his years of service with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly after his retirement and eighth birthday, however, Recon was involved in an incident at his former handler’s home in which a child was bitten and required medical treatment.
Recon was subsequently placed in the care of Osceola County Animal Services. Following an investigation, the county determined that the circumstances and severity of the injuries met Florida’s statutory requirements for a dangerous dog designation.
From the time Recon arrived at Animal Services, county officials said staff worked to identify a safe and meaningful path forward that would comply with state law while giving the retired K9 an opportunity to enjoy the next chapter of his life.
“The County deeply appreciates the outpouring of support in recognition of Recon’s invaluable service to our community,” Osceola County said in its statement.
According to the county, those efforts were underway well before concerns about Recon’s future began receiving widespread public attention.
County officials said Animal Services made repeated attempts to engage Recon’s owner but did not receive a response. While the owner has until Aug. 22 to appeal the county’s final dangerous dog determination, the county has taken the step of determining Recon to have been abandoned, allowing officials to move forward with his placement at Big Mac’s K9 Rescue.
The arrangement means Recon will be able to spend the remainder of his retirement in an environment equipped to care for him while the county continues to fulfill its responsibilities under Florida law.
“The County is grateful to have finally secured an outcome fitting of Recon’s service while fulfilling its responsibility to protect the public and follow Florida law,” the county said.
For Recon, the decision provides a new chapter following a career dedicated to serving alongside members of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office — and an opportunity for the retired K9 to now enjoy the retirement he earned through those years of service.
