Douglas County sheriff’s K9 Eros retires after 100+ deployments
Published on September 22, 2026
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced the retirement of K9 Eros, an 8 ½-year-old German Shepherd trained in patrol work. The dog is retiring on the advice of his veterinary care team.
Eros joined the sheriff’s office in November 2021 after an anonymous community donor purchased and gifted him to the agency. He will live out his retirement as a family dog with his handler, Deputy William Maynes. Since joining the force, Eros was deployed more than 100 times in support of law enforcement operations. Those deployments resulted in 22 community demonstrations, 11 felony arrests, 9 misdemeanor arrests and 39 total captures.
“Eros has been the best partner. He has been my best friend and my backup,” Maynes said. “He’s loved his work and serving our great community.”
“It has been my honor to have been his handler and now it’s my continued honor to give him a home as a normal dog enjoying his retirement,” Maynes said.
Eros worked with two handlers during his career. He started with retired Deputy Oscar Rosas before moving to Maynes.
“Eros was and still is the best companion a K9 handler can have. He has no fear and unconditional bravery in any situation,” Rosas said. “Thank you for your service, buddy.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the K9 program has been highly active since 2013. The program relies on support from community members, donors and organizations such as the Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs and Bailey’s Veterinary Clinic, which provides medical care for the K9s at no cost.