Drug-sniffing dog named Max treated with Narcan after fentanyl exposure at Valley jail

PHOENIX – A drug-sniffing dog is doing well after being exposed to fentanyl at a Valley jail this week, authorities said.

K9 Max showed signs of medical distress Wednesday after alerting prison officers to the presence of fentanyl on an inmate, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Max’s handler and detention staff rushed him to a nearby animal hospital, where he was given the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan and closely monitored.

MCSO said Max fully recovered from the fentanyl exposure and is eager to return to work.

MCSO K9 Exposed to Fentanyl — Rushed to Hospital.

While assisting in a search yesterday at one of our jails, MCSO K9 Max alerted to the presence of fentanyl on an inmate. Shortly after, Max began showing signs of exposure and significant medical distress. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/XqMsEnPBz9

— Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (@mcsoaz) April 24, 2025

“His strength — and his handler’s quick response — are nothing short of heroic,” MCSO said in a social media post.

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