Allegheny Co. Sheriff K9 returns to work after cancer treatment

Coinciding with National Dog Day, a K9 officer is back on duty after months of cancer treatment.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office has announced the return of bloodhound Ranger to active duty.

Ranger was diagnosed in April with Hard Palate Melanoma. His handler, Deputy Jeff Belback found a small growth in Ranger’s mouth.

Luckily, the cancer did not spread to his lymph nodes and after surgery and two rounds of electrochemotherapy treatment Ranger is healthy and back at work.

Ranger will continue to receive medicine for the rest of his life to keep any cancer from multiplying.

Sheriff Kevin Kraus and his office thank “Dr. Delancey from Werntz Memorial Hospital in Verona, Dr. Urie from BluePearl in the North Hills and Dr. McMillan from Hope Advanced Vet Center in Vienna, Virginia for their great work in helping Ranger back to health!”

The surgery and treatments have not impacted Ranger’s ability to track.