LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — After five years of sniffing out evidence at fire scenes across Colorado, the state’s arson evidence detection dog is officially retiring from service.
ROTC, a yellow Labrador retriever, worked alongside fire investigators with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. The department says he assisted in more than 180 fire investigations, detecting accelerants like gasoline, diesel and lighter fluid.
“They’re an invaluable asset when it comes to our investigations,” said Brian Eberle, ROTC’s handler and a fire investigator.
ROTC’s nose gave investigators a major advantage, able to detect even trace amounts of fuel within minutes, a task that might take human investigators hours.
With an estimated 94% success rate, ROTC played a key role in cases ranging from wildfires to residential fires. But now, at 8 years old, he’s ready to relax at home with Eberle.
“He gets to come home and now he just gets to eat out of a food bowl like a regular dog,” Eberle said. “And just enjoy his time sitting on the deck, enjoying that beautiful Colorado sun.”
ROTC is leaving big paws to fill, but a new detection dog is already stepping in. Waffle, a 2-year-old Labrador, recently completed training at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National K-9 Division and is already assisting in investigations.
During a training demonstration on Tuesday, Waffle identified a droplet of gasoline in a grassy field, earning a treat as a reward.
“It’s a huge game for them,” Eberle said. “Since they’re food-reward dogs, as soon as they find what they’re looking for, they know a treat is coming.”
Eberle said any local fire department in Colorado can request Waffle’s help at no cost to the agency.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
