By Megan Ashley Fink

The Natchez Democrat

 

NATCHEZ — The Adams County Sheriff’s office will soon be without one of its best four-legged, furry agents.

On Dec. 31, Adams County K-9 agent Scout will retire after five years with ACSO to live with his handler, Thomas Borum, an ACSO deputy assigned to the Natchez-Adams County Metro Narcotics Task Force.

Borum, who is also a veterinarian, said Scout is the best partner he’s had.

“He can’t do what he does without me, and I can’t do it without him,” Borum said.

Scout was selected to work with the sheriff’s office in 2010, as part of Sheriff Chuck Mayfield’s efforts to revitalize and refocus the office’s K-9 Unit on narcotic detection and tracking and search and rescue, ACSO spokeswoman Courtney Taylor said.

Scout is trained to detect marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and ecstasy and completed recertification tests every year.

Scout and his handler helped Metro agents search vehicles, buildings and property for narcotics. Scout completed some form of training daily.

“I’ll put something in the parking lot, and I have him go find it,” Borum said. “I’d hide (an odor sample of drugs) in buildings, in warehouses, or any environment that I know he’d be called into, and let him go find it.”

Scout was also trained to track missing persons.

“He could help find a lost kid, or a senior citizen or maybe a criminal that’s on the run,” Borum said.

Scout was not, however, trained to attack or hold suspects.

The sheriff’s office chose a less aggressive breed so that Scout’s friendly and open demeanor could allow him to be an educational tool. Borum said that he and Scout would often visit local schools to educate the students on the dangers of drugs and the proper care of animals.

“He’s so good at doing that,” Borum said. “The impact he’s had, I can’t go in there without kids coming up to me.”

Borum said that Scout’s popularity among the local children was demonstrated at last year’s Christmas parade.

“A bunch of Cub Scouts went by, and they went ‘Hey, there’s Scout,’ and the whole parade pretty much came to a standstill,” Borum said.

Borum said that it was an easy decision to adopt his partner. Scout will continue to live with Borum as he has throughout his service, even sleeping in Borum’s bed.

“We have such a bond between us that it would hurt so bad to break that bond,” Borum said. “I’m sure he feels the same way.”