New K9 joins Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

The newest member of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is ready to take a bite out of crime. 

The agency welcomed K9 Hondo on March 1 after he completed certification for patrol work.

K9 Hondo has been partnered with Deputy Alex Mason, who is new to the K-9 unit. 

READ: St. Pete K9 helps capture 2 men accused of breaking into home on Hurricane Ian-damaged Sanibel Island

Hondo will also be a part of the SWAT team. 

Patrol K9s like Hondo help deputies locate missing people or suspects that have fled from a crime, conduct building and area searches for important evidence, and more. 

READ: Deputy saves K9 from being drowned by fleeing suspect

PCSO says these skills help deputies resolve situations quickly, which returns deputies to service faster, where they’re able to continue to take other calls, instead of remaining on one call for a long period of time.  

Wesley Chapel Honda donated the money to buy, equip and train K-9 Hondo.