Why is one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Colombia offering a bounty of 200 million pesos (about $70,000) for a dog? Well, when the dog is a famous, expert drug sniffer who helped authorities find over 22,000 pounds of the gang’s cocaine and capture at least 245 people associated with the organization, it’s pretty easy to see why they might hold a grudge.
A pesar de tener 6 añitos, a la agente sombra le sobra vitalidad ha sido reconocida porque protege la vida de los niños, niñas y adolescentes del veneno mortal de las drogas. Todos la quieren y puedes tomarte tu selfie en el aeropuerto @BOG_ELDORADO. Guao pic.twitter.com/vXaEWKIGzk
— Policía Antinarcóticos (@PoliciaAntiNar) July 22, 2018
Sombra the German Shepherd has been helping authorities take a bite out of the Colombian cartel’s profits, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Dairo Antonio Úsago, the leader of the Urabeños gang and most wanted man in the country. He ordered the hit on Sombra, who has earned two K-9 Medals of Courage and is on track to get a third this year.
#DiaDeLaIndependencia | Conozca a ‘Sombra’, la perra antinarcóticos amenazada por el Clan del Golfo en el desfile militar del #20deJulio
—> https://t.co/cCNxKM0PPR pic.twitter.com/WKItCVTTz3
— Caracol Radio (@CaracolRadio) July 20, 2018
As the head of the Urabeños gang, also known as Clan del Golfo–the Gulf Clan, Úsago has a history of issuing bounties on those that would meddle in his criminal business. In 2012, his gang spread leaflets that offered $500 to anyone who would kill a police officer in retaliation for a raid that killed one of the Urabeños’ top leaders.
Nuestro can “Sombra” fue la mejor durante los entrenamientos en detección de drogas ilícitas, en los últimos tres años se convirtió en el tormento de “Otoniel” incautandole 9 toneladas de cocaína #ConozcaMás a “Sombra” en el desfile #20DeJulio #COLOMBIAunasolaFuerza pic.twitter.com/a6tWpjkdiQ
— Policía Antinarcóticos (@PoliciaAntiNar) July 20, 2018
For now, Sombra has been transferred from the ports and towns along the Atlantic coast where she usually worked to an airport in Bogotá where authorities say she can be better protected. In addition to her normal handler, Sombra has additional security to keep her safe. Still, it’s not exactly a secret where she is.
Hopefully nothing bad happens to Sombra. In my opinion, she has earned her retirement and should go into a doggy witness protection program where she can live out her days with a loving family, but I also understand that she provides a valuable service to the authorities in their fight against the cartel. I just hope that Sombra can be as safe as possible. She deserves that.
What do you think? Should Sombra be allowed to retire, or is she too valuable in the fight against drug gangs? Are you surprised that the cartel would issue a hit on a dog? Let us know in the comments below!
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