Yoshi, Washoe schools’ first drug-sniffing dog, dies at 16

RENO -- The first K-9 used by the Washoe County School District Police Department has died of old age.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Thursday that the German shepherd named Yoshi was 16 when he died on Nov. 16.

Officer Mario Palacios said Yoshi sniffed out drugs in schools and once helped federal authorities locate a methamphetamine lab north of Reno. The dog was credited for reducing student drug-related arrests and suspensions by 50 percent.

Palacios and Yoshi became the police department's first K-9 team in 1999.

Students often greeted Yoshi in school hallways throughout Washoe County.

Yoshi retired from the school district in 2006 and spent his final years living with Palacios and his family.