Queensland Corrective Services’ (QCS) Drug Detection Dog, Thommo has been officially retired from service at the Brisbane Ekka.
On hand to farewell the 10-year-old Labrador was Minister for Corrective Services, Mark Ryan.
“Thommo, alongside his handler, Scott, has been an integral part of keeping Queensland’s Correctional Centres safe for the past nine years,” Mr Ryan said.
“Since earning his sniffer stripes as a Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) Dog in 2013, Thommo has detected illegal contraband while working at four South-East Queensland Correctional Centres.”
He said the Labrador had helped train other QCS PADD dogs, assisted police with operations and search warrants, and endeared himself to crowds at countless public appearances, including at previous Ekkas.
Mr Ryan said Thommo had received numerous awards during his Corrections career, including the QCS Top Dog Award for PADD dogs in 2020 and the five-year Canine Service Medal from the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association.
“Thommo has certainly done us proud with his hard work and dedication to detecting drugs in prisons and we wish him all the best for a well-earned, restful retirement,” the Minister said.
Scott said Thommo’s greatest attributes had been his work ethic, with an ability to search on and on, to perform demonstrations and to keep his human best friend happy every day.
“I’ll miss Thommo so much when I am at work, but I understand that it is his time to kick back and enjoy retired life,” Scott said.
“For Thommo, retirement means long walks in the neighbourhood, lazing in the backyard at home, chasing a ball and his favourite pastime, which is going for a swim.”
