Handler: Drew Fessenden
Breed: German Shepherd/Malinois
DOB: 7/30/2015
Department: Binghamton Police Department
Function: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Years Worked: 4 years

K9 Rudi was born in Eastern Europe in 2015. In 2016, he was selected and imported by Gold Coast K9. K9 Rudi was selected by Officer Fessenden and the team underwent an intensive five week dual purpose patrol school at Gold Coast K9 in California before returning to the Binghamton Police Department (BPD) in New York.

Throughout their tenure at BPD, K9 Rudi and Officer Fessenden were assigned to the patrol division, street crimes unit and Metro SWAT team. The team conducted over one hundred successful deployments which resulted in either the apprehension of suspects and/or the seizure of illegal handguns or narcotics.

In 2018, after developing a nose bleed, K9 Rudi was hospitalized and diagnosed with canine Scott’s syndrome, a rare genetic bleeding disorder. Because of how critical K9 Rudi had become from the ongoing bleeding, he needed treatment at both Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania, After months of hard work and physical therapy with the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, K9 Rudi was released back to full duty where he was able to finish his career doing what he loved; working as a dual purpose patrol dog.

K9 Rudi was a phenomenal man hunter and excelled in all facets of his work. Despite his high pitched bark, Rudi was a formidable force. K9 Rudi had only one brief hesitation while working – when he came across a domestic rabbit while conducting a building search.

K9 Rudi and his handler retired from BPD in 2020 and moved south where he can enjoy swimming in the pond year round, relaxing in the country, and learning to love his new feline sister Millie.