BARNEGAT, N.J. — The end of watch for K9 Bullet came last Friday. The Whiting Veterinary Clinic put a longtime Barnegat police K9 to sleep after a distinguished career and short-lived “retirement.” Several police departments and K9s honored Bullet outside the veterinary clinic.
Bullet was skilled at finding narcotics, fleeing suspects and lost seniors. The Belgian Malinois came from Holland, where he received his initial obedience training. Officer Rob Armstrong received Bullet in 2009. Armstrong and Bullet completed K9 training in 2010, Barnegat Patch reported.
“Another important duty he loved was community policing, performing demonstrations of his K9 skills at community events for entertainment and education of the public.,” the Whiting Veterinary Clinic wrote.
Bullet joined Barnegat Police Department when the Township was still recovering from an economic and real estate downturn, according to the Patch. Nevertheless, the continuation of the K9 program became reality when Armstrong offered to purchase the dog with thousands of dollars of his own money.
Bullet retired from patrol in 2018, living with Armstrong and his family.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to provide veterinary care for Bullet from the day that Officer Armstrong introduced himself and Bullet to me with Bullet’s leash in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other,” said Dr. Lisa Schorr of the Whiting Veterinary Clinic.