After nearly ten years of dedicated service, K9 Officer Hudson in the Panhandle Region is hanging up the badge

Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region’s first K9 Officer, Hudson, is retiring after working alongside his K9 handler, Senior Conservation Officer Matt Haag for nearly ten years. Hudson is a yellow Labrador Retriever.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Fish and Game and the people of Idaho as part of the K9 team. I’d like to thank the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Bonner County Sportsmen’s Association for donating and raising funds that support our K9 program statewide,” said Officer Haag.

Hudson first came to Fish and Game as a young, exuberant pup on Dec. 5, 2015. After adjusting to his new life with the Haag family, Officer Haag and Hudson traveled to Indiana where they completed the Natural Resources K9 training program from Jan. to May 2016.

Upon graduating and returning, Officer Hudson was eager to report for duty. Over their career together, Officer Haag and Hudson tracked countless suspects and recovered numerous lost children and missing adults.

Hudson helped recover critical evidence such as bullet casings, firearms and illegally killed animals, which ultimately led to countless arrests of wildlife violators.

Haag and Hudson completed over 800 deployments together, assisting many law enforcement agencies including Sandpoint Police, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho State Police and most often, Fish and Game conservation officers.

The team made thousands of public contacts through demonstrations at schools, sportsmen’s groups and community events across the state.

Beyond the realm of work, Hudson and Officer Haag enjoyed a very special relationship. If you own a dog, you can likely relate, at least to some extent.

The duo spent nearly every day together. They played together, they worked together, they loved a family together and they had each other’s backs on and off duty. As with all dogs and their owners, Officer Haag could do no wrong in the eyes of Hudson. They were as strong of a team as they come.

Unfortunately, Hudson’s retirement isn’t one characterized by days spent lazily and deservedly enjoying life on the lap of Officer Haag. In June, Hudson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and a resulting expectation of a few months of life remaining.

Hudson will be missed by his Fish and Game family, but most of all, by his handler, partner and best friend, Officer Haag. Officer Haag is committed to remaining by Hudson’s side until the end.

“The role of K9 handler with Hudson has been the highlight of my career and has deeply impacted my family and me,” reflected Officer Haag.

To learn more about Fish and Game’s K9 Program, visit the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s K9 page.

Please contact the Panhandle Regional Office at (208) 769-1414 with any questions.

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