Home » Cocoa Police K9 Bear, ‘America’s Top Dog’, Recovers From Limbal Melanoma Eye Surgery

Cocoa Police K9 Bear, ‘America’s Top Dog’, Recovers From Limbal Melanoma Eye Surgery

By  //  October 28, 2021

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Bear joined the Cocoa Police Department in 2014

Cocoa Police Department’s K-9 Bear, also known as America’s Top Dog after winning Season 1 Episode 2 of the show in 2020, is recovering from surgery performed earlier today. (CPD image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police Department’s K-9 Bear, also known as America’s Top Dog after winning Season 1 Episode 2 of the show in 2020, is recovering from surgery performed earlier today. 

This past summer, Bear was diagnosed with Limbal Melanoma Resection in the right eye. He underwent surgery in Orlando early Wednesday.

The veterinarians at the Veterinary Ophthalmology Center said the surgery went well and is recovering at home with strict orders to rest.

Bear joined the Cocoa Police Department in 2014 and was assigned to Officer Dan Rhoades. Bear is trained to track fleeing suspects, locate missing persons, find illegal drugs and evidence in criminal cases.

Bear joined the Cocoa Police Department in 2014 and was assigned to Officer Dan Rhoades. Bear is trained to track fleeing suspects, locate missing persons, find illegal drugs and evidence in criminal cases. (CPD image)

As a member of the SWAT team, his most recent find was in August when he recovered nearly one pound of marijuana during a traffic stop.

In 2020, Bear appeared on A&E Network’s America’s Top Dog where he competed against some of the most elite and highly trained police K-9 teams in the country.

Bear, with Officer Rhoades, won their episode and has since become a local celebrity.

Team Bear was one of the featured teams to run the obstacle course at the Space Coast Police K9 Competition held on October 17th at USSSA Space Coast Stadium. Officer Rhoades and K-9 Bear also demonstrated a muzzle takedown during the halftime event.

The veterinarians at the Veterinary Ophthalmology Center said the surgery went well and is recovering at home with strict orders to rest. K9 Bear is an 8-year-old German Shepherd. (CPD image)
Cocoa Police K9 Bear Wins A&E’s ‘America’s Top Dog’ Episode, Advances to National FinalsRelated Story:
Cocoa Police K9 Bear Wins A&E’s ‘America’s Top Dog’ Episode, Advances to National Finals

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