The Cal Poly Police Department is proud to announce the retirement of K-9 Zeus and happy to welcome new recruit K-9 Dex.
Zeus, who has spent the past seven and a half years serving the community, will be honored during a private retirement ceremony with the department, friends and his handler, Officer Stephanie Pipan, on Thursday, July 17. “Zeus has been a great companion to work with and has dedicated so much to Cal Poly and the San Luis Obispo County community,” Pipan said. “His retirement is much deserved.
The pure-bred German shepherd has been on patrol at the university helping with police work including explosive and weapons detection and hard-surface tracking. Together with Pipan, Zeus has helped protect the community through patrol, protective sweeps at events, locating lost or missing people and much more. Pipan has been his handler throughout the shepherd’s career.
According to Pipan, Zeus will spend his retirement as a house dog, enjoying all the comforts of home without the stress of going to work. This will include nightly walks, playing with household family pets and taking car rides.
Zeus will be succeeded by K-9 Dex, a one and a half-year-old German shepherd. Trained in Germany before coming to the U.S. to train with Officer Pipan, all of Dex’s commands will be in German. Pipan will serve as Dex’s handler. Dex’s specialties are patrol and explosive and weapons detection and he will be trained in hard-surface tracking. Dex’s first day on the job will be Friday, July 18.