Horton the Arson Dog Retires from Howard County Fire and Rescue Services

Horton the arson dog has retired from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

The golden retriever-lab mix joined the department in 2013.

“In his short time with [the department], Horton achieved rock-star status,” the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services said in a statement. “He was featured prominently on State Farm literature, made numerous appearances in schools, on social media, and he starred with Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman in a campaign to be the American Humane Association’s 2015 Hero Dog Award winner.”

In May, Horton was also featured on the FEMA website for National Arson Awareness Week.

When he first joined the department, Horton was sponsored by State Farm, which coordinated his training with Howard County handler Lt. Carl Saunders.

More than 300 dogs, including Horton, have been certified as arson dogs after completing a five-week training program State Farm operates in Maine. The canines learn to detect accelerants like lighter fluid and gasoline. According to State Farm, arson dogs help expedite fire investigations, since they can process crime scenes faster than many tools.

In short order, Horton’s nose and playful spirit gained him accolades.

“Horton was responsible for several arson arrests,” Maria Hogg of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services said.

He alerted authorities to fires where ignitable liquids had been used, including the torched speed cameras near Glenelg High School in May 2014 and the Molotov cocktail thrown at Diamondback Tavern in September 2014, according to Hogg.

“Horton was also essential [in] ruling out the possibility of a set fire on several undetermined calls in the county,” Hogg added.

Related:

• Fire Department ‘Badges’ Arson Dog
• Glenelg Teen Torched Speed Camera on Moral Grounds
• Disorderly Patrol at Diamondback Tavern Threw Molotov Cocktail

While seeking recertification in July, however, Horton would not search for ignitable liquids, and the decision was made to retire him, the department reported.

State Farm offered to provide Howard County with another arson dog, named Jet, who has since been certified to work with Lt. Saunders.

Meanwhile, Saunders has also adopted Horton as a family pet, so he will remain in the family.

Welcome, Jet, and thank you to Horton for your service!

Photos courtesy of State Farm.