So long, Atto.

The Davis Police Department K-9 retired last month due to back injury complications, culminating a career that spanned six years and numerous achievements.

“He certainly did everything as hard as he could,” said Atto’s handler, Davis Police Officer Justin Raymond. “But those things that made him a really good partner were also hard on his body. There’s a lot of jumping, running and collisions, so it’s pretty common for (police dogs) to get injuries here and there.”

Atto (pronounced “Otto”) underwent back surgery in late 2009. He was back on the job five weeks later, but after about a year began showing signs of further injuries to his spine, Raymond said.

The 8-year-old German shepherd officially retired on May 1. As of his last day, he had logged 329 deployments, 128 arrests and 100 drug finds, as well as about 40 awards from area K-9 competitions.

“He was pretty prolific,” Davis Police Chief Landy Black said. “He’s going to be missed. He worked just as hard as any of the officers, but he didn’t write as well.”

Atto arrived at the Police Department at age 2 after being imported from Germany and undergoing a four-week, 160-hour course in handling and obedience. Raymond has been responsible for Atto’s care and continued training ever since.

Even now, Atto’s not used to the idea of being a stay-at-home dog, Raymond said.

When Raymond prepares to go to work, “he’ll bark at me at the door and spin around. He knows.”

Raymond said he continues his daily training exercises with Atto, “mainly to keep his mind occupied.”

Indeed, Atto is used to seeing plenty of action.

He was on the scene when undercover agents from the Yolo Narcotic Enforcement Team arranged a September 2007 drug buy in a West Davis parking lot. Atto nabbed three suspects that day, along with two pounds of methamphetamine and a handgun.

In 2008, he apprehended a man who struck a California Highway Patrol officer with his car following a freeway chase from Solano County to Davis. That same year, he detained an armed robbery suspect on Chiles Road — and recovered the cash and stack of lottery tickets he stole.

Atto also helped catch one of Sacramento’s most-wanted criminals — a robbery, kidnapping and carjacking suspect who was living on Regis Drive in Davis when officers came calling with an arrest warrant.

“When he heard us knocking on the front door, he went out the back — but Atto was already there,” Raymond said.

Atto also was known for his social, gentle side, which came out when Raymond took him to schools and other public appearances.

“He’s had lots of kids climbing all over him,” Raymond said.

Raymond expressed appreciation to those who have cared for Atto’s injuries, including veterinarian Robert Runyan of VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, who performed Atto’s back surgery at a discounted rate, and the Davis Animal Wellness Center, which has provided the K-9 unit with free care over the years.

Atto’s retirement leaves the Police Department with just one K-9 — Cane (short for Hurricane), the 5 1/2-year-old German shepherd partner of Officer Lee Hatfield. It also reduces the agency’s K-9 coverage from seven nights a week to three.

Black said budget cuts for now prevent the department from replacing Atto with another police dog, which can cost upwards of $10,000 just to acquire.

“Right now, we’re going to have to go with just one (dog) and do the best we can,” Black said. “There are alternatives that are less costly.”

Meanwhile, Hatfield is in the process of forming a nonprofit Davis K-9 Association to raise money for the continued care of retired Davis police dogs, which falls onto the handlers once the dogs stop working.

The association also would pay for supplemental training for police dogs that the city is unable to cover, Hatfield said.

Until the association achieves nonprofit status, donations earmarked for K-9 care can be made to the Davis Police Officers Association, 2600 Fifth St., Davis CA 95616.

For more information, contact Raymond at [email protected] or (530) 747-5400.

— Reach Lauren Keene at [email protected] or (530) 747-8048. Follow her at www.twitter.com/laurenkeene.

Ceremony to honor police dogs killed in line of duty

Law-enforcement agencies will pay tribute to California police K-9s lost in the line of duty at a June 15 ceremony at UC Davis.

The K-9 Faithful Partner Memorial Ceremony begins at noon at the California Police Dog Memorial, located near the UCD Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

Originally dedicated in 2002, the star-shaped black granite memorial honors more than 30 California police dogs who have died in the line of duty since 1960.

The memorial is sponsored by the Western States Police Canine Association.

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Davis police Officer Justin Raymond and Atto made for an effective team. Greg Rihl/Enterprise file photo

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Atto, the Davis Police Department’s K-9, is retiring after five years on the job. Greg Rihl/Enterprise file photo

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