July 25, 2024
Community Mourns the Loss of Beloved K-9 Dusty from Lake County Sheriff’s Office
By Kyle Coppola
Community Mourns the Loss of Beloved K-9 Dusty from Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Lake County Sheriff’s Office shared some sad news today. We were sorry to hear the passing of retired bloodhound K-9 Dusty. For seven years before retirement, K9 Dusty served the citizens of Lake County as a search and rescue bloodhound, specializing in locating lost or runaway children and missing adults, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dusty was the loyal partner of Deputy Jessica McGregor and adored her kids, Sommer and Emma.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office shared in a social media post “Dusty was more than just a working dog; she was a community ambassador who loved meeting new people. She was always first in line to attend meet-and-greet events or photo opportunities. Throughout her career, she visited many classrooms across the county, making new friends and building bridges between the youth and law enforcement. Dusty had a special way with people, especially those with special needs or who were afraid of dogs. She would lay down quietly and still until they felt comfortable approaching her, showcasing her gentle and patient nature.”
Dusty was a familiar face at many Lake County Sheriff’s Office events, including National Night Out, Citizens Academy, and Back to School events. At each event, she greeted people with enthusiasm and never missed a chance to have her picture taken. Her presence brought joy to everyone she met, and her dedication to her work was evident in the numerous cases she assisted with over the years.
“While Dusty loved working, her greatest joy was being with her family. Off duty, she could often be found snuggled up on the couch or going for rides in the truck with Deputy McGregor and her children. From the moment she joined their family, she bonded deeply with them, sharing in their love and affection. Dusty’s huge heart and love for people made her an amazing partner for Deputy McGregor and a cherished member of their family.” says Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Dusty was an extraordinary dog and will be missed.
Photo Credit – Lake County Sheriff’s Office – Florida
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
