Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Newest K-9, Liberty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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October 6, 2025
Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Newest K-9, Liberty
MARIETTA, GA - The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the newest addition to its K-9 Unit: Liberty, an 11-month-old bloodhound with specialized scent discrimination trailing and tracking capabilities.
Liberty is partnered with Deputy Barry Bales, a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who has served as a K-9 handler for the past three years. Before Liberty, Deputy Bales worked alongside K-9 Shax, who retired after three years of service with similar capabilities.
“Liberty will play an important role in supporting our mission to enhance public safety,” Sheriff Craig Owens said. “Her advanced tracking skills will assist in locating missing persons and suspects, as well as strengthening our community engagement.”
Still very much a puppy, Liberty enjoys stuffed animals—or anything she can tear up in playtime. Her playful personality, combined with her advanced training, makes her a valued and approachable member of the K-9 team.
The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to introducing Liberty to the community in the coming months as she begins her service alongside Deputy Bales.
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About the Cobb County Sheriff's Office: The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency that executes a broad range of services, which include but are not limited to Jail Operations, Court Security, Criminal Warrant Execution, Civil Process Service, Mental Health Transports, Forgery/Fraud Investigation, and Fugitive Investigation and Apprehension. Sheriff Craig Owens took over the office on Jan. 1, 2021, and leads a staff of more than 800 deputies and civilians. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has the most diverse command staff in its nearly 200-year history and is on the path to becoming the best law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia. To learn more about the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, visit https://www.cobbsheriff.org/. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Download the Cobb County Sheriff's Office App!
