Halifax, NC - An 8 yr-old German shepherd named Dan served as an explosive detection K-9 for the Halifax County Sheriff's office for the past 5 years. Dan died on Monday and a memorial will be held this morning in his honor at the Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.
Dan was found under the car port of citizen, Joe Thomas on Tuesday. Thomas took the dog to Roanoke Animal Hospital where veterinarians confirmed that he was dead. The dog died from a blunt force trauma - possibly from being struck by a vehicle.
The dog had apparently been either let out of his kennel, or had somehow escaped. When his handler, Corp. Mike Almendarez, went to let Dan out on Monday, he discovered that the dog was missing.
Almendarez and K-9 Officer Dan had worked together as a team for 5 years. According to a statement made to the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, "Dan will be missed by all at the Sheriff’s Office. Rest in Peace."
Condolences to the officers at the Sheriff's Office, especially Dan's partner Mike Almendarez. Rest in Peace Officer Dan.
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Comments
I hope an impartial investigation is done on Officer Dan's behalf. Blunt force trauma? Could he have been beaten to death?
And I thought police dogs lived with their handlers as part of the family. Why was Dan kept in a kennel outside instead of with his family inside?
Poor dog.
I agree...really sad. All the K-9 officers I know treat them as part of the family, knowing that their family is just that much safer. In fact, these officers do have yards, but the majority of "off" time is spent in the house with the family.
"He deserves no less" brings up a good question.
Thank you for the sad report.
I AGREE 1000000%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY WAS DAN THE DOG NOT INSIDE WITH THE FAMILY!?!?!?!?!??!!??!?!
AND I REALLY,REALLY HOPE THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS DAN THE DOG, REST IN PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They, too, are police officers..They, too, put themselves in harm's way.. In Switzerland, 1 out of every 4 officers is on patrol with a K9.. United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, are among several countries where the police have K9 units..
I, too, find it disturbing that this wonderful dog was not kept inside as part of the family. Had that been the case, he would still have a good part of his life ahead of him.
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