Meet RCSD rescued K9 Ryder

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – There is a new member of the team at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Region 6 headquarters.

Meet Ryder, the rescued K9 from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The department says last year a deputy stumbled upon Ryder who was roaming the streets all alone and he was immediately taken to the veterinarian. 

“He had scrapes on his face, on the sides of his body, and you could tell he had some healing marks that could of been bite marks,” said Lt. Karen Gilman with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. 

The veterinarian told deputies that Ryders injuries suggested he’d been involved in a dog fighting ring.

“I don’t know how he got out or if they didn’t think he was cut out for that lifestyle and they abandoned him. I don’t know  — but we’re glad that he got out of that,” said Lt. Gilman. 

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott gave Region 6 the green light to keep him and they named him Ryder.

One thing is for sure the four legged baby has turned Region 6 headquarters into a home not just for himself but for the deputies too. 

“Coming in to work everyday you have this big ball of sunshine just running up to you wagging its tail, jumping all over you. Even some of the days when you don’t want to come into work he just makes the experience a lot better. Everybody pitches in to help take care of him and the morale has increased since he has been here. It is an overall blessing to have him here,” said Deputy Matthew Smith.

“It is hard to stay angry or upset or whatever when you walk in here. He wont let you,” said Lt. Gilman.