State Patrol K-9 to retire after years of exemplary service

December 26, 2012

Wisconsin State Patrol K-9 "Ivy" of the North Central Region-Wausau Post will retire from service effective January 1, 2013. Ivy was recently diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. Because of her disease, she is no longer able to function in her current capacity. Her partner, Inspector Tye Howver, received permission from the State Patrol to become her owner upon her retirement.

Ivy began her service with the State Patrol in 2006 and was instrumental in assisting Inspector Howver in making numerous narcotics seizures. During their partnership, the team conducted more than 1,800 searches resulting in 472 drug-related seizures. Inspector Howver and Ivy also were responsible for the seizure of $549,262. Most notable was a cash seizure from a commercial motor vehicle of nearly $450,000 in April 2010. The follow-up investigation resulted in numerous drug related arrests and seizures in Minnesota and California.

Major J.D. Lind, director of the Bureau of Public Safety and Communications, said, "On behalf of the State Patrol, I want to thank Inspector Howver for his dedicated work with and care for Ivy."

For more information, contact:
Wisconsin State Patrol North Central Region-Wausau Post
(715) 845-1143