The Peterborough Police Service is mourning the death of police service dog Gryphon, who died Wednesday (September 30) following unexpected medical issues.
Gryphon, the longtime partner of police constable Dillon Wentworth, was about six years old.
Flags at the Peterborough police station were lowered to half-mast on Thursday as the service paid tribute to a dog whose tracking abilities helped officers locate suspects, missing people, weapons, and other evidence during almost five years of service.
“We have the utmost respect for our police service dogs and the valuable skills they bring to a police service,” police chief Stuart Betts said in a media release announcing Gryphon’s death.
“They keep our officers safe and members of the public with unwavering commitment. It is a sad time as we reflect on the positive impact Gryphon made on the safety of our community.”
A Dutch Shepherd, Gryphon joined the Peterborough Police Service in December 2021 and was officially sworn in on March 2, 2022 after completing a 15-week training course with the Niagara Regional Police Service.
A year-and-a-half old at the time, Gryphon was trained in human scent detection and location, suspect apprehension, article detection, handler protection, and narcotics detection.
Over the following four-and-a-half years, Gryphon and Constable Wentworth responded to calls involving suspect and missing-person tracks, building searches, firearms detection, and operations involving the police service’s emergency response team.
“Gryphon’s nose was his greatest gift,” the police service stated.
More than a dozen police media releases over Gryphon’s career highlighted his tracking abilities.
In December 2022, after three people fled from a break and enter at a home near London and Water streets in Peterborough, Gryphon tracked the suspects for several blocks before all three were arrested.
In September 2023, Gryphon helped Wentworth apprehend two shoplifting suspects in separate incidents near Park and Lansdowne streets on the same day. In one case, a suspect was carrying a knife before complying with police commands and being taken into custody.
That same month, Gryphon and Wentworth represented Peterborough at the 2023 National Police Dog Competition in Barrie. The pair placed fifth in drug detection and fourth in building searches among canine teams from police and government agencies across Canada.
Gryphon’s tracking skills were also called upon during a large-scale police search in September 2025. After a wanted man evaded officers and swam across Little Lake the previous day, Gryphon eventually located him hiding under a bed in a trailer on a Peterborough County property.
According to police, Gryphon also tracked a driver who had fled a collision scene for more than a kilometre, found a wanted suspect hiding beneath a mattress, and tracked another fleeing suspect whose arrest resulted in the recovery of a replica handgun and three knives.
Most recently, Gryphon assisted with the arrest of a man wanted on multiple warrants and helped police clear a building by prompting several unwanted people to leave.
“Time and again, his instincts, determination, and exceptional scent-tracking abilities proved invaluable to the officers he worked alongside and the community he served,” the police service stated.
Away from operational duties, Gryphon became a familiar presence at police open houses, summer camps, and presentations where he and Wentworth demonstrated the K9 unit’s skills to community members of all ages, with the police service describing him as “a community favourite.”
Gryphon made one of his final public appearances at the police service’s community open house on September 12.
He was also featured with other members of the K9 unit in a 2023 fundraising calendar produced by Peterborough police to support the Peterborough Humane Society’s new animal care centre.
Police said the relationship between Gryphon and Wentworth extended far beyond their working duties.
“The bond between a K9 officer and their handler is incredibly special,” the service stated. “The role of a K9 handler is 24/7/365. If they were not answering calls for service, they were training and preparing.”
“Anyone who was able to witness this pair at work would have seen great trust, commitment, and work ethic in the execution of their duties.”
Wentworth is a second-generation police dog handler. His father is a retired City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service officer and K9 handler, and both father and son were certified through the Niagara Regional Police Service’s K9 unit.
Police said Gryphon was “far more than a working partner” to Wentworth, and that his death will be felt by the entire Wentworth family and throughout the police service.
“Gryphon was an invaluable member, and his service will not be forgotten,” Chief Betts said.
A book of condolence for Gryphon will be available in the front lobby of the Peterborough police station.
