The Gurnee Police Department said that canine Bear is retiring after seven years of service with the department.
The police department said that canine Bear, who was part of the department since 2014, was deployed 257 times for detection and patrol assistance.
Bear assisted 25 agencies — besides Gurnee — with building, human and evidence searches along with tracking and canine demonstrations.
Bear’s work led to the arrest of 76 suspects and he helped in sniffing out drugs on more than 70 occasions, the department said.
“K-9 Bear provided invaluable assistance to the Gurnee Police Department and other departments,” officials said on Thursday on social media.
Bear will remain at home and under the care of his handler, Gurnee Police Officer Daniel Ruth, which officials say is customary and in the best interest of the animal.
“Thank you for your service, Bear!” the department said in their social media post.
It is unknown if the department will be receiving a second canine to replace Bear. The Gurnee Police Department still has one other active-duty canine, named Hunter.