NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The North Charleston Police Department announced that K-9 Joker, a veteran police dog credited with major drug seizures and multiple arrests, has been diagnosed with a terminal and untreatable form of cancer after the disease returned aggressively.
Joker was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2025, when a tumor was removed and treatment initially appeared successful. Follow-up scans showed no signs of cancer at the time. However, officials said the cancer recently returned and spread rapidly, leading to the terminal diagnosis.
Born Dec. 5, 2019, in Hungary, Joker joined the department on Feb. 24, 2021, when he was paired with handler Braden Reid. Authorities said the two formed a strong bond over the past five years while working together…