Chicago Police Department drug dog was rescued from shelter

A new police dog will help take a bite out of crime, while taking only a tiny nibble from the city budget.

Pantera, a 16-month-old black Labrador who recently joined the Chicago Police Department‘s organized crime division, is part of a new initiative to recruit law-enforcement canines from shelters instead of expensive breeders. Pantera was adopted from a local animal shelter in May for just $98.

Officer Steve Martinez visited the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League at least four times before picking Pantera based on the dog’s “high degree of maturity and strong drive.” After extensive training in various drug detection techniques, Pantera became an official police dog, the youngest certified narcotics detection canine in city history.

Since joining the force, Pantera has recovered evidence and assisted in search warrant executions with the narcotics section, the department said.

His new position thrills the Animal Welfare League, which took Pantera in after his original owner’s landlord banned pets.

“I’m hoping he’s the first of many (to join the department),” said Terri Sparks, the shelter’s marketing and public relations director. “It shows that shelter animals aren’t people’s leftovers. We’ve got a lot of good dogs here.”