Mac vom Steinig Tal

Mac vom Steinig Tal passed away due to natural causes on 09/01/2019 while with his family in Wautoma, WI.

Mac was born, raised, and trained at Steinig Tal Kennel under the direction of Owner, Larry Filo in Cambellsport, WI. Mac was a perfect combination of his father, Sid von der Fasanerie and his mother, Isa vom Traumwald. Mac was a purebred German Shepherd and trained as a dual purpose Canine. In early 2008 Mac was chosen to become the 2nd Canine of the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Brian Wenzel was named to be his handler. K9 Mac came home in April of 2008 to meet his new family. Throughout April and May K9 Mac and Deputy Wenzel completed a 4 week certification at Steinig Tal Kennel / Fox Valley Technical College. K9 Mac and Deputy Wenzel graduated on May 9th, 2008 which was Deputy Wenzel’s Wife’s birthday and exactly 2 months prior to the birth of their first child, Hailey.

Over the almost 10 years with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office K9 Mac assisted with countless traffic stops and incidents that resulted in numerous arrests, and drug and cash seizures. Some of the those incidents got K9 Mac nominated for multiple awards throughout his career including K9 Rookie Handler of the Year, Meritorious Narcotics Find, Meritorious Track with an Apprehension, Meritorious K9 Apprehension, and Cooperative Investigation of the Year (Winning Rookie Handler of the Year and Meritorious K9 Apprehension). Those awards were nominated through the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handlers Association (WLECHA) which is 200 plus members strong. Multiple times over K9 Mac’s career just his bark alone and presence provided safety to Deputy Wenzel and others. K9 Mac’s bark even turned argumentative situations into casual conversations such as what kind of dog was making all that noise or what does he look like?

K9 Mac was also highly visible in the public doing demonstrations and meet and greets. K9 Mac appeared on Fox 11 News (Green Bay) several times, WBAY Channel 2 News, and other local news stations throughout his career. K9 Mac enjoyed going to the local Brat Frys, the annual Jailbreak Marathon, and schools where he got endless love and attention.

K9 Mac retired from the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office on January 31st, 2018. K9 Mac was given a large retirement party which included pictures, slide show, plaques, a painting, a pencil drawing, gift cards, cake, and of course tons of stories, snacks and love. At the end of the party K9 Mac’s ownership was transferred from Waushara County to the Wenzel Family.

At home K9 Mac or nickname “Mackers” was a perfect pet. K9 Mac provided love, entertainment, and security to Deputy Wenzel, his wife, and 2 children. K9 Mac loved his Kong and tearing up his gifty towel, but he loved even more the treats (French fries, ice cream cones, left over steak) that Deputy Wenzel’s wife and kids would sneak to him.

K9 Mac’s retirement was honestly not the happiest. Now, K9 Mac got more love and presents than he has ever had, but K9 Mac loved to be in the patrol car, barking at passing people / cars, finding drugs, and chasing bad guys. It was even tougher when K9 Mac’s replacement, K9 Thor, came home and would be the one leaving to go on duty, not K9 Mac. For the first couple months K9 Mac would cry in his kennel, not whine, but CRY. It was a tough transition at first especially since my wife would send me videos of K9 Mac crying and then she would be crying. Things did get much better as time went on. K9 Mac knew that when I went to work he got extra loving and extra treats. K9 Mac and K9 Thor became buddies and played daily which made us all feel better. Days were sometimes tough though seeing the comparison between young and old, but K9 Mac held his own until the end.

K9 Mac was a great addition to the Waushara County K9 Unit and served the citizens of Waushara County well. K9 Mac will now regain the health and strength he once had and join his old partner, K9 Anuk, and many others in the much safer streets in the sky.

We will ride together again someday, so until then, Good Bye my old Friend.

Brian Wenzel