PSD Diesel is a retired German Shepherd who proudly served the Saskatoon Police Service for eight years, helping protect the citizens of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Born in the Czech Republic on July 4, 2015, Diesel began training with the Saskatoon Police Service in June 2017 and officially entered service after successfully completing his training in October 2017.
Throughout his career, Diesel quickly earned a reputation as a reliable and hardworking police service dog. In 2019, he was cross-trained in narcotics detection, where he became an invaluable asset to Saskatoon Police drug investigators, assisting with numerous search warrants and locating hidden stashes of illicit drugs.
Diesel demonstrated exceptional tracking ability early in his career when he was deployed following a stolen vehicle crash. Despite the harsh conditions of a cold prairie winter, with packed snow and icy terrain, Diesel tracked the suspect over one kilometre through yards, alleys, and sidewalks, ultimately leading officers to a residence where the suspect was located with the stolen vehicle keys still in his pocket. Without Diesel’s determination and skill, the suspect would likely have escaped.
Another notable moment in Diesel’s career occurred when he was deployed after a suspect assaulted a police officer during a break and enter arrest attempt, knocking the officer unconscious. Diesel tracked the fleeing suspect several blocks away and located him hiding inside a shed, leading to his arrest and charges for both the break and enter and assaulting a police officer.
Diesel also played an important role during a high-risk situation involving a potential hostage event, assisting officers with the entry and helping locate the suspect inside a residence, ensuring the safety of both officers and members of the public.
Diesel worked alongside his handler, Deny Baron, forming a strong and dependable partnership throughout his career.
Outside of his serious police work, Diesel had a lighter side that made him well-known in the community. He even appeared in the Saskatoon Police Service’s 2018 lip sync video, earning a bit of local fame. Due to the extraction of one of his K-9 teeth, Diesel is also known for his hilarious “derpy” expression when his lip folds into his mouth during his classic head tilts.
Check out the video here: Saskatoon Police Lip Sync: Backstreet Boys
Diesel retired from the Saskatoon Police Service after eight years of loyal service and now enjoys retirement with his handler and family. Though he continues to manage a few health conditions common to German Shepherds, including pannus and perianal fistula, both are well controlled with medication. In 2023, Diesel also underwent surgery to treat a neck infection of unknown origin and has remained in good health since.
Today, Diesel is enjoying a well-earned retirement surrounded by the people who love him most — a fitting reward for a dog who spent his career protecting others. 🐾