Three Correction Department dogs promoted to sergeant upon retirement
Yale, Katy and Bator received honorary sergeant rank from the Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación during a ceremony in Ponce for their service detecting contraband.
File photoThe short version
- El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico reported that Yale, Katy and Bator were promoted to honorary sergeant and retired from the DCR K-9 Unit
- Secretary of Correction Julie Gómez Gómez presided over the ceremony at the DCR Academy in Ponce on Monday
- Katy detected 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $4.1 million in Ponce in 2022 and helped lead to dozens of arrests
- Bator contributed to the seizure of cell phones and components worth about $500,000 in Mayagüez while Yale blocked prohibited items in Guayama
Recognition for years of service
The Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación (DCR) held a ceremony to promote three of its canine officers to the rank of sergeant and retire them from active duty. El Vocero reported that Yale, Katy and Bator were honored at the DCR Academy in Ponce. The event was presided over by Correction Secretary Julie Gómez Gómez.
According to both El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico, the dogs served in the K-9 Unit detecting controlled substances, cellular phones and other contraband in correctional facilities. Their work led to millions of dollars in seizures and dozens of arrests of inmates and civilians. The dogs also took part in educational activities at schools and universities.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Fitness & studios in Guayama
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Detrás de cada incautación y de cada intervención exitosa hay un trabajo de equipo que requiere preparación, disciplina y confianza. Yale, Katy y Bator fueron aliados importantes de nuestros oficiales en la misión de mantener instituciones más seguras y dejaron huellas que permanecerán en nuestra Unidad Canina
Our translation: Behind every seizure and every successful intervention there is teamwork that requires preparation, discipline and trust. Yale, Katy and Bator were important allies of our officers in the mission of keeping safer institutions and left marks that will remain in our K-9 Unit.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Notable achievements
Metro Puerto Rico reported that Katy, who specialized in narcotics detection, participated in an operation on July 19, 2022 at the Ponce Correctional Complex that resulted in the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $4.1 million. The dog helped lead to the arrest of two civilian employees, one correctional officer and about 75 inmates. Katy was later diagnosed with cancer and received special care from Lt. Omar Ruiz Olavarría.
Bator, handled by José Hilerio Vélez in Mayagüez, specialized in detecting cell phones and contributed to about 90 arrests of inmates as well as the seizure of equipment valued at nearly $500,000, Metro Puerto Rico said. Yale, handled by Alexi Feliciano Tarafa in Guayama, also focused on cell phones and prohibited items. El Vocero noted that all three dogs had "a trajectory of loyalty" before beginning a dignified retirement focused on their well-being.
Where the sources differ
Both El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico agree on the names of the dogs, the promotion to sergeant, the location of the ceremony in Ponce and that Secretary Julie Gómez Gómez presided. Metro Puerto Rico provides more details including the exact date of Katy's 2022 cocaine seizure, the names of the dogs' handlers, the number of arrests linked to each dog and two direct quotes from the secretary. El Vocero states the dogs produced "million-dollar seizures" and mentions their educational activities but gives fewer specifics on arrests.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the exact date of the promotion ceremony, only that it occurred around Oct. 26-27, 2026. They do not give the current ages of the dogs, the total years of service for each, the overall number of seizures or the precise current location or type of retirement care they will receive. The articles also do not mention whether the dogs will continue any limited public appearances after retirement.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Tres canes de Corrección se retiran con rango honorífico de sargento
- Reporting Ascienden a sargentos a tres canes del Departamento de Corrección
- Reporting Tres canes de Corrección se retiran con rango honorífico de sargento
How we checked this
El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico both covered the DCR K-9 retirements, with Metro providing the majority of operational statistics and the secretary's comments. Figures on seizures and arrests rest solely on the two news outlets; no independent verification or additional official statement was included.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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