Pearl police mourn Bona, K9 hit by car on US 49

Bona paid for herself more than 100 times over in just the cash she helped seize during her career as a Pearl Police Department K9.

The 6-year-old German shepherd was found dead on U.S. 49 this week after escaping from her kennel at her handler’s home.

Police Chief Ben Schuler said she was found around 11 p.m. Tuesday. She’d been hit by a car.

Bona had been with the department since 2009 and had a good showing at the 2014 US K9 Certification Trials in the metro area last month.

Hinds County Chief Deputy Chris Picou, a longtime K9 officer and trainer, helped pick Bona out for Pearl and her handler Shane Fletcher. Picou said at the K9 Certification Trials, Bona scored high enough to receive Top Dog honors, though a miscalculation ranked her second until the mistake was caught.

“She was very good. She was an exceptional dog. When we trained, she always got better and better,” he said. “Every dog is a little stronger in some areas than other dogs. One may be stronger in obedience, some in agility. She was exceptional in all of them from tracking, to apprehension, to obedience to narcotics.”

Schuler said Bona had a passion for the job.

“She just seemed to enjoy it all. She was a very well-disciplined dog. She was extraordinary. When her daddy would go out and get in that car and not take her, then she’d get all upset because that’s what she wanted to do,” he said. “She wanted to go to work.”

Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers said Bona was a gentle dog who did a lot of public relations in the community. She and Fletcher visited groups of children and taught them about drugs.

During her career, Bona collected $1.4 million in cash, 60 pounds of cocaine, 100 pounds of marijuana and 12 pounds of methamphetamine.

Picou said police dogs have to be completely unafraid of vehicles, as they work on roads every day. They often do not realize roadways can pose a threat.

“When Shane got Bona, he was a new handler, and Bona was a new police dog,” Picou said. “Those two made each other.”

Schuler said the department, which has five other K9s, will take a mourning period before deciding on how to proceed in getting another.

Detective Jake Windham said the loss of Bona is felt by the whole department.

“She’s a part of the family. We’re going to miss her.”

To contact Therese Apel, call (601) 405-9807 or follow @TRex21 on Twitter.