A care fund is being created for Bullet, who is a retired K9 officer and lives with his former handler Sgt. Harry Calithen. Bullet, shown in his early days working in the sheriff 's office in 2012, retired in March. Butler Eagle file photo

Justin Guido

Sheriff Mike Slupe looks to make sure Bullet, the K-9 officer who served with the county’s law-enforcement arm for nearly a decade, doesn’t have a “ruff” retirement.

The sheriff on Wednesday asked the county government to establish a retired canine care donation account, which Slupe said would allow the office to pay for Bullet’s medical expenses in the future without taxpayer dollars.

Bullet retired in March and lives with his former handler, Sgt. Harry Callithen.

Slupe said the idea came from a conversation he had with a Westmoreland County probation officer who received a retired Ohio Highway Patrol K-9 officer.

“He said, basically, he doesn’t have to pay for food or medical care — really, anything for the retired K-9 — because it’s all taken care of,” Slupe said. “I thought, wow, I mean, we only have one and I thought I can raise money — non-taxpayer-related — for medical visits and procedures that Bullet would need now and in the future.”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.