After just two months as a member of the Damascus Police Department, the town’s new drug dog has died.
"We don’t know what caused the dog to die," said officer Kermit Turner, the dog’s handler. "Right now, we don’t know if it was natural causes or suspicious or what."  Turner said he found the dog, Sgt. Gunner, dead on Thursday. He said the Virginia State Police is investigating, and he is unable to comment further on details.
Turner said it may be 2-3 weeks or longer before an autopsy report on the dog is complete.  "Dealing with it is a little rough," Turner said. "Not only was he a member of the police department, but he was also a companion and my partner."  Turner said he trained with Sgt. Gunner on his days off, and the town paid $2,000 for training for the dog and handler. The team was certified June 5, and the dog was used to sniff out drugs on several occasions. "There was a lot of work that went into it," Turner said of training with the dog, "a lot of hours."  dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701  -  submitted by Renee Konias

Handler: Const. Stephen MacKinnon
 Cape Breton Regional Police Service

Police dog falls ill, dies - Canada - 07/06/07
A Cape Breton Regional Police Service dog has died. Staff Sgt. Peter McIsaac, who is in charge of the K-9 unit, said Gage, who worked with Const. Stephen MacKinnon, died Wednesday. The dog became ill suddenly shortly after responding to a call early Wednesday morning in Sydney. "Const. MacKinnon took him home, but he seemed to get worse," McIsaac said. Gage was taken to a veterinarian and emergency surgery was performed. The five-year-old German shepherd had an inoperable tumour and Gage had to be euthanized. "This is very hard for Const. MacKinnon, as expected; the loss of his loyal partner and valued member of our police service. Gage was an extraordinary dog, and he will be missed." The police service has three other K-9 dogs and will be making immediate arrangements to replace Gage, McIsaac noted. "He was like all police dogs, loyal," said MacKinnon. "He was a good dog, a great companion on the road, who helped me do the job I had to do. "We got into a routine at home and on my days off and my family misses him just as much as I do, that's for sure. "Police dogs probably have the best life in the world; they are always with their handler. They are with them at home and then go to work with them. It's a great life for a dog." MacKinnon said in the last four years Gage worked on armed robberies, break and enters,stolen vehicles and missing persons cases.
submitted by Jim Cortina, CPWDA Dir.

Weirton remembers police dog - By GIOVANNI P. ROSSI, Staff writer
BEST FRIENDS – Gero sits on Partner/Officer Mike Plaso's lap in a squad car. The Weirton Police Department is mourning the death of Active K-9 Officer Gero, who was put to rest Tuesday afternoon as a result of a malignant tumor that had spread up through his hip. The Weirton Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own this week with the death of one of the members of the department’s K-9 division. Active K-9 officer Gero was put to rest Tuesday afternoon as a result of a malignant tumor that had spread up through his hip. Patrolman Mike Plaso, Gero’s partner for seven years, said this his companion was an officer to the end.
“He helped us at a traffic stop just Sunday night,” said Plaso. “Because of him, we were able to get even more drugs off the street.”  Plaso reports that Gero indicated to officers the presence of drugs in a stopped vehicle’s glove compartment. There, police found bags of marijuana, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Three arrests were made as a result of these findings. According to Plaso, it was upon the dog’s exit of the vehicle that he first noticed a slight limp in Gero’s stride. “I didn’t think anything of it really,” said Plaso. “If anything, I thought he might have hurt himself getting out of the car.” Upon returning home, Plaso advised the chief and veterinarian of Gero’s condition and was encouraged to give the K-9 a day off to rest. When the officer came home before his late Monday shift, Gero seemed very responsive. According to Plaso, his partner got up out of bed, exited the house, and waited next to their squad car. “He was ready to go to work,” said Plaso. After their shift, Gero was taken to a scheduled appointment to follow up on what was causing his limp. After an examination, the veterinarian reported that a tumor in the dog’s leg had burst and was spreading. Several options were made available as to treatment, but none allowed for Gero to live much longer. “I didn’t want him to suffer through this,” said Plaso. “He was a great dog and an excellent partner and he didn’t deserve to be in that kind of pain.”  Gero was buried at the police range along Kings Creek with the other fallen K-9 officers from the Weirton Police Department. A stone marker will be provided by the Weirton Police Department with his name and years of service. While Plaso sees the loss of Gero as the loss of a partner and family member, he’s also concerned for the children of the area. Because of his kind disposition, Gero was known as the “spokes-dog” for the K-9 unit and, for some children, the Weirton Police Department. He was taken to schools and organizations for meet and greets and was often approached by children while off duty. “The kids love petting him,” said Plaso. “He’s definitely going to be missed.” When asked about getting a new partner, Plaso replied that he most definitely would like to get another K-9. “These dogs are worth their weight in gold,” he said. “They are a great service to both the department and the community.”
****** - More about GERO  *******
The Weirton Police Department has announced the death of active K9 dog Gero, pronounced “Hero,” as a result of cancer. Gero has been on the job with his partner, Patrolman Mike Plaso, since he began training at 14 months of age and remained with him for approximately seven years. According to information from the Weirton Police Department, Plaso and Gero worked their last shift together on Monday, after which Plaso observed that his partner could not stand on one of his legs. It was hoped that Gero had suffered a minor injury, but examination by his veterinarian concluded that a previous tumor had resulted in malignancy and spread to the affected leg. A statement from the department said in addition to his many duties, Gero was valued because of his pleasant disposition which made him a perfect embassador for the K9 Division. Plaso and Gero were well known throughout the community, especially among the children who always enjoyed having the opportunity to pet him. A service for Gero was held Tuesday morning by members of the Weirton Police Department,Plaso and his family. Gero was buried alongside the other K9 dogs who have served the officers and citizens of Weirton and Hancock and Brooke Counties. Gero will be provided with a stone marker by the Weirton police with his name and years of service.   submitted by Jim Cortina

Handler:  Officer Dave Dominguez
Chico Police Department
1460 Humboldt Road
Chico, CA 95926 - 530 897.4911

Chico police surround the house in an alley between Fourth and Sixth avenues in October 2004. Here, keeping a watch on the front door is Officer Dave Dominguez and his K9 "Gino." The K9 passed away Friday at age 11.  "Gino,"a police dog who retired in 2004 after eight years in the Chico Police Department's K-9 program, died Friday. The beloved German shepherd was 11. His handler, Chico police officer, Dave Dominguez, said Gino died in his sleep. In 1996, Gino became the second dog chosen to train with the department's newly formed K-9 unit, and was the first selected specifically for narcotics detection. Partnered with Dominguez throughout his years of service, Gino participated in 425 incidents. Fifty of those led to the arrest of a suspect. The dog also participated in 245 building sweeps and 184 searches for narcotics. While performing drug searches, Gino once located narcotics hidden in a pair of in-line skates buried inside a car trunk. In another instance, Gino was asked to search a large area of Bidwell Park for the ammunition clip from an officer's pistol, lost during a tactical operation. To the amazement of everyone watching, Gino emerged from a tangle of berry bushes with the clip in his mouth. In 1998, the dog located and apprehended two men suspected of killing Chico resident Lloyd Brown. Both were tried and convicted for the crime. In 2003, Gino flushed a burglar from the Olive Garden Restaurant in Chico, then caught the suspect as he ran through the parking lot. Gino was born April 25, 1995, in Eastern Europe. His first day on the job with Dominguez was Sept. 18, 1996. His first assignment required him to track down a hit-and-run driver who ran from police. He found the suspect hiding under a tarp a short distance from the collision. Trained in Riverside, Gino was the first among five dogs the city of Chico has obtained from Alderhorst International Inc. The outstanding performance of Gino, and his successors "Toko" and "Bak" led police in 2005 to sign an exclusive contract with Alderhorst for future canines. Gino, and all dogs since, have been commanded using the Czech language. "Gino's search and tracking ability made him a one of a kind," said Canine Unit Sgt. Dan Fonseca. "He was a special canine that has been loved by the community, but feared by the criminal, "Fonseca said. Correspondence concerning Gino should be directed to the Chico Police Department.  submitted by Jim Cortina

Aurora loses last police dog - May 10, 2007 By MATT HANLEY Staff Writer Sun-Times News Group
In court, injuring a police dog is the same as punching a human officer: You'd be charged with the same offense. That's because a K-9 is considered a slightly more hairy member of the department. And when a young animal is lost, it hurts. Just ask Aurora Officer Pedro "Pete" Rodriguez.Gunny, the Aurora K-9 officer Rodriguez worked with for four years, died suddenly Sunday, April 29 from stomach complications. He was 6 years old. Gunny was the last of Aurora's K-9 police unit. "From the first week we were pals," Rodriguez said. The pure-bred German Shepherd trained for 12 weeks in Grayslake before he was turned over to Rodriguez, who had signed up to work K-9 almost on a whim. "I have nothing to lose, only a dog to gain," he figured. "It was the start of a new thing." Since October 2002, cop and dog were inseparable. Gunny -- named for the gunnery sergeant rank in the Marine Corps -- was Rodriguez's friend, tracking device, protection, crowd control and partner. And Gunny also came home at night, interacting comfortably with children when he wasn't working. On duty, though, Gunny was all business. He tracked suspects, found weapons and more than once encouraged suspects to think twice before tangling with Rodriguez. "With him right next to me, the odds are going to be good," Rodriguez said.  After Gunny's death, Aurora now has no dogs working on the force. 
But Rodriguez said he'd considered working with another animal. "As hard as it is now, I would," he said. "I'd do it in a heartbeat."   submitted by RKonias   & Jim Cortina

photo
Handler: Officer Behan
Fox Lake Police Department
301 S Rt 59
Fox Lake, Illinois 60020  -  (847)587-3100 
E-mail: schuerrN@foxlake.org 
wardc@foxlake.org

Fox Lake Police Chief Mike Behan said the decision to put police dog Grimm down was one of the toughest he’s ever had to make. But, he added, the action was the best course for an “officer” who meant so much to the department as well as to his own family. “He really is a great dog,” Behan said. “He’s been a part of the family, both at home and (at the Fox Lake Police Department) for so long, but he’s in so much pain that it’s what’s best for him.” Grimm, 6, was euthanized by veterinarians at 6 p.m. Thursday after fighting cancer for the past 18 months. He was the second police dog owned by the department. He served as a police dog and with Behan,  since he was 6 months old. “He was great around people, but also great at tracking and drug seizures,” Behan said. “It’s in the way he was trained. He was an amazing dog.” The dog was named by the fourth-grade class from St. Bede Elementary Catholic School in Ingleside. Behan said Grimm started paying dividends from the second he was put to work. Grimm was on the force for only one month when the dog tracked a 3-year-old girl who wandered from her own home two blocks to her grandmother’s house. “He was like a hound dog,” he said. “Grimm just followed the scent and found her.” He added Grimm also seized drugs out of three vehicles over the course of three weeks at one point two years ago and helped track a hit-and-run driver three miles into Wisconsin. While showing prowess as a police dog, Grimm’s attitude toward children was equally incredible, Behan said. Behan said the dog would let children “climb all over him” without ever moving a muscle. “He was real good with kids,” he said. “He showed no signs of ever being upset with any child that he ever came in contact with. He would just sit there and let whatever they wanted to do to him happen.” Behan said the department plans to put together a financial assistance program to replace Grimm. He said the dog alone cost the department about $10,000, while an additional $10,000 was spent for a vehicle to haul Grimm around.“From a department standpoint, we need a police dog,” he said. “I would love to create a fund to put another dog on the street. We need the tracking and the search and seizure abilities dogs have.”
submitted by Jim Cortina

EVER LOYAL, EVER ALERT
On March 13, 2007 Corporal John Bise made “one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.” That extremely difficult decision was to allow his best friend to pass on, to let him rest and never feel pain again. Greg Vom Steinernen Tisch was born in Germany in January 1995 and at the age of two was imported to the United States from Ohringen, Germany. In March, 1997, Greg and Corporal John Bise, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Patrol, met at Rudy Drexler’s School for Dogs, Elkhart, Indiana. Over the next three weeks of training, Greg and John formed a bond that continues to this day. Greg and John served the citizens of Hamilton County for eight (8) years. Greg was retired (the first hard decision John had to make for Greg) from service in the Spring of 2005, and continued to live with his best friends, the Bise family of Harrison, Ohio. As John has said, “Greg was not just a pet, not just a dog; he was a four-legged Deputy Sheriff, my partner and my best friend.” Greg, a cross trained Patrol K-9, recorded 210 apprehensions during his years of service. That number includes apprehensions derived from drug finds, missing persons, criminals who thought they could elude the law, and other related matters. Greg also appeared at numerous special events and was, of course, always a huge attraction. Greg has been cremated and his ashes will remain forever in the home of those he loved the most, and who in turn loved him, the Harrison home of Corporal John Bise and family. Cpl. Bise, an 18 year Sheriff’s Office veteran, continues to work in the Patrol K-9 Unit with his new partner, Brita, a female German Shepherd. 
******
Creatiion of Man’’s Best Friend
God summoned a beast from the field and He said,
“Behold man, created in my image, Therefore adore him. You shall protect him in the
wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go –
even into civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave.
To do these things, I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts: Faithfulness,
Devotion, and Understanding surpassing those of man himself. Lest it impair your courage, you
shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of
man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Speak to your
master only through your mind, and your honest eyes.
Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway; ward off his enemies; carry his burden; share his
affliction; love him and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and
wants - which shall be only food, shelter, and affection.
So be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils along the way to the land I have promised
him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”
And the dog heard and was content.
A corporal with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of his longtime partner Friday night. Corporal John Bise served alongside Greg, his K-9 partner, for eight years. Greg was responsible for 210 apprehensions during those years. Greg retired from the force two years ago but has lived with Corporal Bise and his family ever since. Bise remembers Greg as "not just a pet and not just a dog, but his best friend."