IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Law enforcement officers in southeastern Idaho are missing two of their K-9 companions who died within days of retirement.
The Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office retired two long-time K-9s, The Idaho State Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1n9C5Oj). Both Belgian Malinois died just days after their retirement celebrations.
Police dog Zeke, an 11-year-old explosives detection and criminal apprehension dog, died on Jan. 12 from natural causes.
“Zeke was a special dog for us. He’d been here for nine years,” said police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen. “He was a sweet dog and a hard worker as well. He loved to work.”
Bart, a 12-year-old drug detection and criminal apprehension dog with the sheriff’s office, died Jan. 7 of an unforeseen medical issue. Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said he had been with the agency 10 years.
“It’s hard to quantify exactly how much good that dog has done for the community,” Lovell stated.
Law enforcement officers held a retirement party for the K-9s on Dec. 30, and praised their work at that time.
Neither of the dogs’ handlers were available for comment, but in a news release issued for their retirement both praised their canine partners. Both dogs lived with their handlers during their service as well as after their retirement.
“These dogs become part of (their handler’s) family,” Lovell said. “It’s sad for the whole family.”
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Information from: Idaho State Journal, https://www.journalnet.com
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