Memorials to Fallen K-9s
2003
page 27
The
F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of cards to all partners
I
need your help to inform me of such
losses.
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Dept.
addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers.
See below
In
Loving Memory of
K-9
DUKE
Born: May 23,
1997
End of Watch:
August 7, 2003
Partner:
Officer Tim Martens
Pleasanton
Police Dept.
4833
Bernal Avenue
P.O.
Box 909
Pleasanton,
CA 94566
(925)
931-5100
FAX
(925) 931-5480
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Much-loved
dog Duke dies - Pleasanton officers may wear black to honor German shepherd,
which succumbed to an intestinal disease
By
Kim Santos, STAFF WRITER
PLEASANTON
-- He may have been a Duke, but he was the king of the cops' hearts. Duke,
one of Pleasanton's three police dogs, was put to sleep at 5 p.m. Thursday
after a bout with an incurable intestinal disease. His humans at the police
department are considering wearing black bands around their badges, a common
practice when an officer dies in the line of duty. "This is an 'officer
down' scenario," said Jim Faggiano, owner of Dublin-based JAFCO Canine
Management. Faggiano has been contracted to train Pleasanton police dogs
since 1981 and taught Duke every trick he knew. Three years ago, in the
spring of 2000, Pleasanton Police Officer Tim Martens, who was serving
as one of Faggiano's helpers, was sent out on a call from a Tracy animal
shelter. They had a good-looking German shepherd, it appeared, and
it was slated for euthanasia the next day. Faggiano told Martens to take
a look at the dog and see if it was worth saving. Martens ended up
bringing him back and helped Faggiano train the then-3-year-old Duke.
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When
the dog showed promise, Martens was selected to become his handler and
turn him into part of Pleasanton's force. Duke became a patrol dog. But
about a year ago, he began losing weight and was taken to a vet to check
for a parasite. The doctor said Duke was fine, and Duke continued to work
as normal until a few weeks ago, when his hip bones started showing through
his skin, Faggiano said. Duke had wasted away down to 48 pounds, a little
over half the normal weight of an average German shepherd. "He was basically
just a hollow shell atthat point," Faggiano said. "His energy was waning."
This time the vet said it could be an enzyme deficiency and prescribed
medicine. But it didn't work, and Duke was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing
intestinal infection. Lt. Tom Fenner said Duke and Martens were successful
in apprehending numerous criminals, locating illegal drugs hidden in vehicles,
residences and on suspects, and received many kudos from the public during
demonstrations at schools or the Citizens Police Academy. The dog will
be cremated and his remains given to Martens, Faggiano said. There is a
possibility a new canine will be found for Martens so that a new handler
doesn't have to be selected. Duke is survived by his "brothers," Robby
-- who sniffs for bombs -- and Uno, another patrol dog.
Rags
to riches police dog dies in prime of career
By
Sophia Kazmi - CONTRA COSTA TIMES Sat, Aug. 09, 2003
PLEASANTON
- Duke certainly lived the dog's version of the American dream. In
less than a year he went from life in a Tracy pound to the life of a top-notch
Pleasanton police dog. The slim, good-looking German shepherd was
rescued by Pleasanton officer Tim Martens in spring 2000. Originally, he
was supposed to be a family pet, but Martens sensed Duke would make a great
police dog. After passing handler and police dog classes, the pair
joined the department's canine team in fall 2000, said Lt. Tom Fenner,
manager of the department's canine unit. "It's very unusual," he
said. "It's the only case I know of where a rescued dog from a pound
becomes a police dog." A few weeks ago, Duke had trouble eating and
began losing weight rapidly. Medication didn't help. Then a veterinarian
discovered intestinal inflammation that probably had been
developing
for months. Martens was in the midst of seeking a third opinion at
UC Davis' veterinary clinic when Duke had to be rushed to an emergency
clinic and put on IV. He died Thursday, only 6 years old and in the prime
of his police career, Fenner said. Duke was known for his ability
to find illegal drugs in vehicles and homes and on people, Fenner said.
He was so good that other agencies, such as California Highway Patrol and
the Dublin and Livermore police departments, would specifically ask for
Duke to help them out on cases. He also protected police officers.
Last year when a car chase suspect refused to come out of some shrubs,
officers had no idea whether the suspect was armed. Martens let Duke loose,
and the dog brought the suspect out. He was handcuffed without incident.
"Duke did exactly what he was supposed to do," Fenner said. "He protected
the lives of those officers." Now down to two canine units, Fenner
has the task of finding a new dog. The department has funds set aside
to purchase and train a new dog. Those who knew and worked with the
Duke, were saddened by his untimely death, Fenner said. "He was an
extended member of our police family," he said.
submitted
by Bonnie Buckley & Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA, & Tracey Studer
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In
Loving Memory of
K-9
KEEYA
August
11, 2003
Partner:
Deputy Terry Boltjes
Mille
Lacs County Sheriff's Dept.
640
3rd Street SE
Milaca,
MN 56353
Times
photos by Dawn Slade
Keeya
waits patiently for instructions from his handler.
The
photo was taken a few days before he was put to rest.
submitted
by reporter, Dawn Slade, TIMES
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K-9
Keeya is gone, but his service to the community will not soon be forgotten.
The eight-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd was put down on Monday, July
7 due to a spinal disease known as lumbosacral stenosis (a fairly common
acquired or congenital problem in shepherds that deadens the nerves to
the hind legs). The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Department had an excellent
K-9 for seven years, who helped put away quite a few criminals. He
sniffed out drugs, stopped bad guys from fleeing police, and tracked down
missing persons. Keeya's track record consisted of 13 criminal apprehensions,
12 criminal apprehensions through presence, numerous suspect tracks and
building searches, dozens of narcotic finds and well over a dozen felony
drug arrests. Leroy Lassard was Keeya's original trainer and
handler. He began working with the dog when Keeya was just 14 months old,
then passed the dog on to deputy Terry Boltjes in 2001 before Lassard retired
from the force. Sheriff Brent Lindgren praised both Leroy and Terry for
their work with Keeya. "That's what made Keeya such a successful
part of the K-9 program," he said of the handlers. And though the
bad guys may not have pleasant memories of the police dog, Keeya
was known to many in the community as a lovable shepherd who enjoyed being
praised and having people scratch him behind his years. So many children
in the community were touched by Keeya during demonstrations. I saw
kids watch with delight as Keeya showed off his talent for sniffing out
drugs, "attacking" fellow officers and jumping out of the sheriff's car
at
the touch of a button when his handler was in need. And it wasn't
just the kids, adults enjoyed seeing him in action as well. Keeya
performed for school children, Cub Scouts, the sheriff's youth camp and
D.A.R.E. programs. Keeya was a smart dog. He knew the difference between
the good guys and the bad. He could receive lovin' graciously and enthusiastically
one minute and the next he'd be barking like crazy as he worked on tearing
off a protective sleeve from the trainer's arm.
Keeya
was going to retire from the force in August and several people
inquired
as to who would get to keep Keeya in hopes they might get to bring him
home. I was one of those people. But it wasn't really much of a question.
Boltjes knew he would continue taking care of Keeya (he wasn't about to
let him go). Besides, it's not a good idea for a K-9 to retire with a family
unfamiliar with police dogs. "People don't realize, that dog becomes a
member of your family," Lindgren said. In June it was discovered
that Keeya had a spinal disease and not hip dysplasia as previously thought.
Boltjes could only watch so long as Keeya
quickly
lost the use of his hind legs. So the decision was made to put the dog
down. Keeya will now be cremated and his ashes will be buried at the Boltjes'
home. "It's a tough time," Lindgren said, "even though there's a replacement
dog, there's still a grieving process." So we must say good-bye to a courageous
dog that gave his all to help our
community
in so many ways. He served us without wanting anything in return. Well...except
for maybe a treat now and then and someone to throw a ball or dummy for
him. Thanks for everything ,Keeya!
submitted
by reporter, Dawn Slade
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In
Loving Memory of
K-9
TRACER
LODD
August
9 or 10, 2003
Blk.
Lab
Partner:
??
Palmer
Police Department
972
845.3141
P.O.
Box 489
Palmer,
TX 75152
Chief
Sparks call back 18th... or so....
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K-9
cop heat victim
By
JOANN LIVINGSTON - Daily Light Managing Editor
PALMER
– The Palmer Police Department’s drug canine, Tracer, has died from complications
after overheating in a vehicle this past weekend.
According
to a report filed with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Police Chief
Stephen Sparks left the black Labrador in a vehicle for several minutes
and discovered him in distress upon his return.
Sparks
told a sheriff’s deputy that he immediately removed the dog and cooled
him down before transporting him to a Waxahachie veterinary clinic, where
he was told there was an 80 to 85 percent chance that the dog would be
OK. A veterinarian contacted Sparks later, however, to report that
the dog died that evening of a brain hemorrhage, according to the report.
The incident is pending investigation by the sheriff’s office as the outside
agency called in to look at the matter, said sheriff’s Lt. Danny Williams.
“Due to this involving one of that agency’s own officers, it would be a
conflict for them to look at their own case.” Heatstroke in animals
can occur within a matter of minutes, according to information provided
by the Ellis County SPCA, which notes that inside temperatures of a car
can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes on an 80-degree day and that
a cracked window does not provide the animal with any protection against
heatstroke. To avoid accidents, the SPCA advises that people keep
these rules in mind:
•
Never leave an animal in a car in summer.
•
Adequate shelter and water must be provided for outside animals or for
animals that spend only some time outdoors. Put out several bowls of water
– preferably in the shade – and check them often. Refill as needed and
add some ice cubes.
A
dog can die in as little as eight hours when left in the sun without water.
Even on a shaded porch in hot weather, a dog can die in 24 hours without
water. Small wading pools are an extra treat; however, be sure to refill
and clean them often so as not to attract mosquitos.
•
Grooming is important, especially for longer-haired dogs that can become
matted. Matting leads to discomfort, which in turn can lead to hot spots
that become inflamed and uncomfortable.
Listlessness,
panting, glazed eyes and/or labored breathing are all signs of heatstroke,
according to information provided by the SPCA.
If
an animal is suspected of having heatstroke, cool it down as quickly as
possible and contact a veterinarian immediately.
For
more information about the Ellis County SPCA, call (972) 935-0632.
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MAKO Livingston, Louisiana
2003 Heat Exhaustion
No action taken against deputy in K-9's death
By VICKI FERSTEL
Suburban writer
The Advocate
Livingston Parish Sheriff Willie Graves said Tuesday he has taken no
disciplinary action against the deputy responsible for the death of a Sheriff's
Office K-9 dog. Mako, a 4-year-old Belgian malinois, died of heat exhaustion
Aug. 2 after Deputy Matt Fiske unintentionally left the dog in his unit
for 12 hours during the day. "I was satisfied that he did nothing criminally
wrong and there was no gross negligence," Graves said of Fiske, who has
worked with the Sheriff's Office for six years as a full-time deputy and
four years as a reserve officer. "It was just a tragic accident that no
one regrets more than him," the sheriff said. "He was devastated. Still
is." Graves said Fiske was nearing the end of his shift at 6 a.m. when
he took Mako, a male, to a school near his Walker home for some exercise.
Fiske and Mako got back into the unit for the short drive to his home on
Walker South Road, but Fiske still had 10 minutes left on his shift, Graves
said. Normally, Fiske would have taken Mako to the kennel at his home,
where he also houses Rudy, a retired canine in his care. Then, he would
have fed both dogs, Graves said. On this morning, though, Fiske kept his
unit running and kept Mako in the unit, just in case he was called out
before the end of his shift, the sheriff said. Fiske then fed Rudy, a 9-year-old
male Belgian malinois. After Fiske's shift ended, he went back to the unit
to turn off the ignition. "At that point, he was thinking, 'I've kenneled
my dog up,' " Graves said.Fiske didn't notice Mako was still in the portable
kennel in the part of the car where the back seat is normally located.
The dog normally remained quiet when he was in the car, Fiske said Tuesday.Fiske
said when he went back on duty 12 hours later, he discovered Mako, now
dead, in the unit that still bears Mako's name painted on the side. Graves
said his officers investigated the incident. A veterinarian confirmed the
cause of death. "I feel horrible about it," Fiske said. Fiske said he has
been working with canines for four years and with Mako for six months.
"Trust me, I would never intentionally leave a dog in the car," he said.
Graves said he has not yet decided if he will replace Mako, who cost at
least $7,000, not counting the training and upkeep. The sheriff said he
was unsure if the dog was covered by insurance. The Sheriff's Office has
three other K-9s working under the supervision and care of three other
deputies.
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