Ghost, “daredevil” drug-seeking Malinois shepherd, retires after 12 years of service

Since November 18, Ghost is now retired. For 12 years, within the Valdahon gendarmerie (Doubs), this Malinois shepherd was of invaluable assistance during multiple interventions.

“After 12 years of good and loyal service, Ghost Malinois shepherd from the Valdahon Dog Investigation Group, is a young retiree today,” the Doubs gendarmerie indicated on its Facebook account on November 18.

Decorated with the bronze medal of National Defense

The soldiers explained on the social network that this dog, endowed with “exceptional olfactory qualities”, was specialized in the search for narcotics. He has also carried out countless interventions “during which he discovered several hundred kilos of drugs of all kinds and as many sums of money”. Our colleagues from France 3 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté speak of a total of “1,200 missions”.

For all these actions, the animal was rewarded this Monday, November 18 by the regional prefect in Dijon “with the bronze medal of National Defense and the medal for act of courage and dedication”.

“An excessive dog”

France 3 points out that search dogs usually work for around nine years. However, due to his extraordinary physical conditions, Ghost worked three more years.

According to his master, Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud – technical advisor to the dog investigation group of the Valdahon gendarmerie – “Ghost is an excessive dog, who has ended up at the veterinarian several times, a daredevil, in a way” . He specifies that his best seizure was made on the A36 in November 2016. The Malinois shepherd then “discovered 300 kg of drugs” in a truck, underlines chief warrant officer Arnaud. “When we only had 60 centimeters of space,” Ghost stopped and then, after removing bales of fabric, discovered the narcotics.

“The soldiers of the Doubs group wish him a peaceful retirement at the home of his master Arnaud,” conclude the gendarmes on Facebook. Ghost’s master assures that the dog will now spend the rest of his days “on the couch”. “But for his mental balance, he will continue to accompany me to work without going on a mission of course,” he concluded.