Please Welcome K-9 Buster #383
Please welcome retired K-9 “Buster” (W524) to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 383rd Program Member.
K-9 Buster, who will turn 13 years old on April 15th, 2026, is a male English Springer Spaniel, who honorably served with the Chicago Police Department, Mass Transit Unit, as an Explosives Detection Canine for 11 faithful years.
During his outstanding career, Buster conducted countless sweeps for large events in the City of Chicago, including the Democratic National Convention, NASCAR races, Lollapalooza, sporting events for the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, White Sox, and Bulls, concerts at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, and the United Center, the NBA All-Star game, as well as protection details for State, Federal and International Delegates, to include the former United States President, Vice President, and First Lady.
K-9 Buster’s daily duties consisted of keeping the city’s transportation systems safe, to include securing trains, buses, and poplar venues such as Navy Pier. Buster routinely responded to bomb threats, unattended baggage, parcels, and conducted motorcade sweeps for dignitaries. A ruptured ligament in his left rear leg that required surgery forced him into a medical retirement on March 16th, 2026.
K-9 Buster has been diagnosed with a grade 4 heart murmur, low thyroid, elevated liver enzyme, and a bulging disc in his lower back. Buster has also been going to physical therapy for the surgery he had to repair his leg. Taking into account the cost for all of these medical issues, as well as his prescription food and medications, his expenses total over $500 a month.
Now that Buster is retired, his medical care is no longer covered by those he served, causing a financial hardship on his owner, who is also still actively serving as a K-9 Handler and a Police Officer. The very last thing we at Project K-9 Hero want to see is Buster going without the medical assistance he needs just because his bills were not affordable. Therefore, we are honored to step up and pay for Buster’s medical care, physical therapy, cardiology appointments, frequent office visits, necessary prescription food and medication, plus any future diagnostic testing or surgeries for the rest of his life at 100%.
Please take a moment to welcome K-9 Buster as our 383rd Pack Member, and as our very first English Springer Spaniel to our program. We are honored to be protecting him, after all he has done to protect the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and our America!
Our Medical Fund will help ensure that we always have funding for Heroes like Buster. Please donate today to continue supporting our life-saving abilities.
