K-9 with cancer retires from sheriff's office

A cancer diagnosis has forced Nero to retire from the Miami County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Charles Cox announced Thursday.

Nero has been partnered with Deputy Tina Waymire for nine years.

The dog underwent surgery Wednesday in Columbus to have the liver tumor removed. The procedure appears to be successful, and should extend Nero's life, according to the sheriff's office.

Nero, who is 11, was slated to retire later this year or early in 2015 due to age.

A fund has been set up to help with the medical costs of Nero's surgery and chemotherapy treatments.

Donations will be accepted at Abbey Credit Union, which has branches at 1341 Wayne St. in Troy and in Vandalia at 800 Falls Creek Drive.

Waymire and Nero have made many apprehensions and narcotics discoveries over the past nine years in addition to assisting many law enforcement agencies. Nero will be missed by all at the sheriff's office, according to the sheriff.

Plans have been in the works for several months to purchase another law enforcement canine due to Nero's expected retirement. The sheriff's office said they hope to have a canine in service by August.