Surgery successfully removes two tumors from K9

Carson City's first retired K9 cop is recovering today after a surgery paid for by concerned citizens removed two benign tumors from her shoulder.

Scout, a 9-year-old black Labrador, underwent surgery Wednesday to remove a tumor that was inhibiting her ability to walk. During the course of the surgery, Dr. Robert Gorrindo of the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital in Minden discovered and removed a second benign tumor, said owner Rebecca Zuniga-Brown, a deputy with the Carson City Sheriff's Department and Scout's former partner.

"She came home a little groggy but is doing fabulous," Zuniga-Brown said Thursday. "I can't thank everyone enough."

Scout was Carson City's first K9. She began with the department in 1994 and retired from the force in 2001.

Retired K9s don't get a pension of any sort, said Zuniga-Brown, and so medical costs fall on the shoulder's of their owners. Zuniga-Brown, a single mother of three daughters, hadn't budgeted for an unexpected veterinary bill.

Surgery was initially scheduled with the Animal Services Clinic in Minden, which also collected the money for Scout's care, but because of a dispute about dispersing the money, Zuniga-Brown contacted Gorrindo, who performed the surgery for less than the initial $800 estimate.

Now, she said, Scout is on the road to recovery.

Once the stitches from the 6-inch incision on her right shoulder are removed, Scout will begin treatment for a thyroid condition discovered by Gorrindo. She also has arthritis in her hind legs.

Of the $5,000 raised, Zuniga-Brown said she's paid $345 for the surgery. After all of Scout's medical treatment is complete, the remaining money will go into a fund Zuniga-Brown and her attorney Alan Erb will set up in Scout's name.

"Scout's Foundation for Retired K9s," the project's working-name, is presently being set up so that any retired K9s without insurance can use the money for medical expenses, Zuniga-Brown said.

"This is a little new to me," Erb said of creating a nonprofit foundation for dogs. "I've set up corporations and foundations -- but for people."

Checks poured into Animal Medical Services following Zuniga-Brown's late-April plea for help was published in the Nevada Appeal. Animal lovers from across the Western states and from as far away as Alaska sent in money after hearing of Scout's plight. Minden businessman William Barth made the largest donation of $800.