Philly Fire Department Dog Retires After 6-Plus Years Of Service

PHILADELPHIA – After six and a half years of following his nose, the Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office's arson canine has hung up his collar.

Chance, the accelerant-detecting member of the Philadelphia Fire Department, officially retired on Thursday, Oct. 26, according to the city.

Chance was a vital member of the Arson and Explosives Task Force, which includes members of the Fire Marshal's Office, Philadelphia Police Department and ATF, the city said.

The nearly 9-year-old black Labrador retriever worked on roughly 900 fire scenes during his tenure, and ended up conducting searches for accelerants at more than 600 of those sites.

Chance was specially trained to sniff out substances typically used in arson cases such as kerosene, gasoline, and diesel.

"He has a great nose, Lt. George Werez, Chance's handler, said. “He’s a great asset — he really is.”

In his retirement, Chance will stay with Werez, who has served the fire department for 25 years and seven of them in the Fire Marshal’s Office, the city said.

"He’s just laid back,” Werez said. "He’s one of the best dogs I’ve ever had, and I’ve had dogs my entire life."

Chance is the department's fourth arson canine.

Image via City of Philadelphia