
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) โ Sgt. Preston Engstrom had only been with the Grand Forks Police Department for a short time before his career shifted in dramatic fashion.
โMy first year or so I had the opportunity to kind of help out with the current (K-9) handlers that we had,โ he explained. โIt was a lot of fun, I had a blast with the guys that were doing it already. So, when the opportunity came up to select another handler, I threw my name in.โ
Thatโs how, in 2016, Engstrom got to partner with K-9 Riot. After over five months of intense training โ the duo was ready to hit the street.
Engstrom says Riot has had her share of escapades.
โWe were tracking a person who had run from a stolen vehicle,โ Engstrom said. โAnd she tracked him straight into the river and jumped in, which kinda took me by surprise.โ
Engstrom says that after nearly a decade on the job, Riot is sharp as ever, but at 10 years old, the department decided it was time for her to step away and enjoy her remaining days relaxing as much as she can.
Engstrom says heโs excited that Riot gets to be a normal dog, but heโs going to miss going into work with his partner of nearly a decade.
โWe spend more time with these dogs than we do with anybody else, including our family,โ he said. โFor me, [the best part was] getting to come to work every day โ sounds kind of cliche, maybe โ but with your best friend.โ
Riotโs last day is Monday.
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