A Secret Service dog died last week while protecting Vice President Joe Biden. The dog and its handler were working security for Biden's visit to New Orleans. The bomb-sniffing dog, a Belgian Malinois, fell from the roof of the Premeir parking garage next to the Ritz Carlton where Biden was speaking at a fundraiser New Orleans police said.
The Belgian Malinois fell six stories. Federal agents rushed the dog to a nearby veterinary hospital, but veterinarians were unable to revive the dog, WWL-TV, of New Orleans, reported. Officials did not release the dog's name.
According to the Secret Service website: the Secret Service began its canine program in 1975
The Secret Service uses dogs from Holland called the Belgian Malanois. Like most police dogs, Secret Service canines remain with the Uniformed Division handlers 24 hours a day. They become members of the agents' family.
The average retirement age for a canine varies depending on its physical condition, but for most dogs it is at about 10 years of age. When a canine is ready to retire, it is retired to the handler.
