MONROE — Bane, Monroe’s cancer-stricken police dog, is not only on the mend following his surgery, but back on the job patrolling the streets.

“He is officially cleared for duty as of today,” Bane’s handler, police officer Jeremy Larson, said via email on Monday, Oct. 14.

Days earlier, in a social media post on Facebook, Larson updated the public on Bane’s progress. Larson said the cancer removed from Bane turned out in lab tests to be a grade 1 level tumor of the cartilage.

“The Vet said this was the best-case scenario,” Larson said. “They said it’s only a 15% of this spreading anywhere.”

Initially, Bane was diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma on his paw. That prompted Larson to launch an effort to fund his treatment with the sale of T-shirts; and through direct donations to the department’s K-9 fund. A short time later, Bane was found to have an additional spot of bone cancer on his rib cage, later removed. The initial treatment and necessary scans for that tumor were estimated at about $10,000.

Bane will have periodic scans — about every three months — to ensure he remains cancer free, said Larson. In the meantime, he will continue doing what he loves, riding around with Larson and serving the public.

A portion of the cost of Bane’s treatment was funded through public donations from concerned area residents and the balance of the cost was picked up by an anonymous benefactor who met Bane and Larson in the waiting room of one of the dog’s veterinarian appointments and wanted to help.

Larson and Bane, a Belgian Malinois, first met in October 2019. A short time later, they bonded during a lengthy training session operated by Tarheel Canine Training Inc. in Sanford, North Carolina. 

Larson said he and the department are grateful for the community’s help during Bane’s cancer fight.

“I can’t say it enough or loud enough how much it means to me to have all of the support for myself and Bane over the last couple of months,” he said in his post. “He’ll be back in no time and ready for all the pets.”