Handler: RICK COX 
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd. N.
Petaluma, CA 94952
phone:707.778.4370 - fax:707.778.4502
 - http://cityofpetaluma.net/police/index.html
 
Police dog deserved better
I just read of the decision to euthanize Max, the Belgian Malinois police dog, and I am appalled. According to the article, Max had no bad behavior but he was “no longer as effective.” When the only attempt to find him a permanent home (with his original owners) was not fruitful, Max was euthanized. Max was 7 years old; the life span of a Malinois is 10-14 years. Is this how we treat those who serve our community? What about retirement with medical benefits? 
In many communities, the first choice for a police dog is retirement with their handler, with whom they have already been living. Understandably, this is not always an option. Second choice is a home with another individual trained in handling security dogs. Third choice is a sanctuary. Nowhere in the article were any of these possibilities noted. Many other communities have committed resources to honor their working animals. 
K-9 Global Training has a retired working dog adoption program for retired dogs. They have very high standards for adopting and their retired dog adoption program is very successful. San Francisco has a fund that pays medical costs for its retired police dogs. The Arlington, Va., police department has a fund for retired working dogs. The regional government in Chennai, India, set up a fund and sanctuary for its retired working dogs. The Department of Defense has a re-training and placement program in Texas for its retired working dogs.
“These dogs serve the state amazingly well and face tremendous risks during the course of their service,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C. “It seems callous and short-sighted to cut off support for their care after their retirement. We don’t do that to police officers or our military, and we shouldn’t do it to these animals, who are willing to give up their lives to protect the public.” The Milo Foundation in Willits has a beautiful 200-acre sanctuary for unadoptable dogs and cats. Surely a place could have been found for Max there, especially if they were given funding for the cost of his care. Max could have had a new home with skilled people or a sanctuary at least. It is unconscionable for the Petaluma Police Department to act with so little regard for one of its own.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
pdscu@ci.petaluma.ca.us <pdscu@ci.petaluma.ca.us>  wrote requesting photo  & DOD - July 10, 08

Washington County police dog euthanized
This is a photo of Mosley a year later when he was taken back to the rescue group and placed in an animal foster home. - Photos courtesy of Midwest Bloodhound.    Mosley is missing 75 percent of his hair.

This is a picture of Mosley before he was adopted by the Washington County Sheriff's Department. He had fully recovered from a localized outbreak of mange. Mosley 1 year old. 
Mosley the bloodhound, the dog whose care by an eastern Missouri sheriff’s department worker led to misdemeanor charges of animal abuse, has been euthanized. The dog was put down on Wednesday. Sandi Singer-Adams of Midwest Bloodhound Rescue Inc. said Mosley had become increasingly aggressive. He was euthanized after biting the woman who adopted him. Singer-Adams believes the alleged mistreatment led to hormonal changes that resulted in the dog’s bad behavior. In May, Washington County jailer Lance Mason was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. 
He was fired at that time. The charges allege Mason failed to provide adequate food and water and failed to provide needed medication for the police dog. The Washington County Sheriff’s department adopted Mosley in January 2007. Mason began caring for and training the dog in November. Authorities say Mosley was found three months later, in February, in a tiny pen with no food, water or bedding. A veterinarian diagnosed the dog with frostbite, malnutrition, dehydration, ear and eye infections and other ailments. 
The Missouri Police Canine Association is investigating how a dog in the care of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department got in the condition it did. The sheriff’s department is conducting its own investigation. The Washington County Sheriff’s Department adopted 1-year-old Mosley from the Illinois-based Midwest Bloodhound Rescue Inc. in January of 2007. They planned to use the bloodhound for search and rescues and public relations events.
A year later, Capt. Charles LaLumondiere, who had signed the adoption agreement, contacted the group to let them know the dog was unhealthy and the department wanted its money back or a new dog.
On Feb. 13, a volunteer went to pick up the dog. According to their Web site, the dog was found in a 4 by 4 dirt-floor pen outside a trailer. The dog had no food, water or bedding. “His condition was such that we rushed him to an emergency vet that night,” the Web site states. The dog reportedly suffered from frostbite, malnutrition and dehydration, severe hair loss (mange), ear and eye infections, seborrhea of the skin, cellulitis, and anemia. Missouri Police Canine Association President Gary White, a retired officer who is a master trainer and state coordinator for the national canine association, learned about the incident days later. He was disturbed and worried that this would leave a black mark on any police canine group.
If it was just mange, White could understand the situation. The dog had an outbreak of mange before the adoption but now the dog was 30 pounds under weight and had frostbite. “I’m trying to find out who is responsible and how it happened,” he said. He said the dog didn’t get like this in one day. He said it appears the department didn’t do anything to take care of it. He also wants to know why they waited a year to “train” the dog. When White first learned about the situation, he thought someone must have posed as a deputy to get the dog. 
But after talking with Captain LaLumondiere, handler Lance Mason, a member of the Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff Kevin Schroeder that was not the case. “I don’t know if the sheriff or the captain knew of the dog’s condition,” he said. “Someone got this dog in this condition and we will not let it go. If they are a member of the sheriff’s department then they shouldn’t be any more.” He believes the sheriff’s department should pick up the Midwest’s $700 emergency vet bill and hand over their own vet records for Mosley. He said the person responsible should be disciplined and/or prosecuted for animal abuse.
Sheriff Schroeder said the dog had lived with LaLumondiere until the week after Thanksgiving. The only problem the dog had until then was what the vet determined to be a skin allergy. The dog was treated and had recovered by the time it was handed over to the department’s handler for dog obedience training. Soon after, the handler told Schroeder that the dog was losing hair and weight. Schroeder said he told him to take the dog to the vet. He said the dog was then diagnosed with incurable mange.
“We started making contact with (the rescue group),” Schroeder said. “By the time they got down here, apparently the dog was in really bad shape ... I found out about it through the Internet.” The sheriff, who has raised dogs of his own, said he is trying to get to the bottom of it through his own internal investigation. He is talking with White and the Midwest rescue group. He said if there was neglect or abuse, it will be dealt with. “It makes me sick, it makes me mad,” he said.
In the adoption application, LaLumondiere stated he would keep the dog in the office or in a barn during the day and inside the house at night. Schroeder said LaLumondiere had problems becoming a certified handler. The signed contract requires the adoptive family to provide prompt and timely vaccinations and proper veterinary care, and proper nutrition. It states that the dog shouldn’t be tied up and a fence enclosure should be adequate shelter from the elements.
Sandy Singer, director of Midwest Bloodhound Rescue, said she is upset on so many levels. She feels she has been lied to and the sheriff’s department didn’t live up to their contract.  She said the dog would cower in fear at times and has a demeanor like it has been abused. She said the dog was suppose to be a vital member of the community. She said the department had a lot of gall to demand a refund. She said someone contacted PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and she has provided them with information. 
In January, Mason told the captain and the sheriff that the dog was in “bad shape” and losing weight and hair. Mason took the dog to Lawson Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 17 where the dog showed a weight loss of 32 pounds and was diagnosed with demodectic mange. The vet’s office recommended medications and food to help the dog in acquiring adequate caloric intake. They also recommended Mason change the dog’s bedding to place the dog in a more comfortable area due to the skin condition. According to the vet, the medication and food were available at the vet clinic through a charge account, but those foods and medications were never acquired. The officers said the condition of the dog deteriorated and no further vet care was provided.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

Fort Pierce police dog euthanized after health degrades from tumor
 German Shepherd police K-9 named Maverick was put down Tuesday afternoon, about two weeks after a tumor was found on his spine. Maverick, who arrived in Fort Pierce in fall 2001, and Officer Christine Davis became Fort Pierce's first K-9 team capable of detecting bomb-making materials. Following a biopsy on June 20 to determine the nature of the tumor, Maverick’s health quickly worsened. On Tuesday afternoon Davis, with the agency’s support, decided to have Maverick euthanized.
“She’s broken up about it,” Davis’s brother, John Stockton, said Wednesday. “Most people that have a pet, you get attached to your pet, but this is more of a partner. The K-9 officers are the only ones who can really explain that . . . Maverick was part of her.” Davis did not immediately return a phone call, and a police spokeswoman said she declined to comment. Stockton, 37, said his sister took Maverick home at the end of her shift, where he was the typical pet pooch. He loved to play ball and get attention and pets. “He was like a normal family dog until he got his commands,” Stockton said.
The department saw the need for a dog capable of sniffing out plastic explosives and other bomb-making materials after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2006, the FBI asked Davis and Maverick to help with securing Dolphin Stadium before Super Bowl XLI in Miami in February 2007. A New Jersey native, Stockton worked in the insurance field before becoming a police officer. She joined the police department about 10 years ago, and in a 2002 interview said the dog arrived from Germany with a lengthy name that she decided to change. "I just came up with Maverick because of how fast he is," she said at the time. "When he plays Frisbee, how he jumps and catches the Frisbee." The department plans to find a another dog for Davis, and an anonymous donor appears to have already provided money for the $8,000 purchase. A memorial service is scheduled July 9 at 6 p.m. at Haisley Funeral Home, 3015 Okeechobee Road. submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

DVD pirates breathe easy after specialist sniffer dog dies
Malaysia's plan to use dogs to sniff out pirated DVDs has suffered a setback after one of two Labradors trained for the task died of an unknown cause. Authorities are investigating the cause of death but do not suspect foul play, said Mohamad Roslan Mahayuddin, an official in the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. "We are quite shocked," he said. Manny, a year-old male, who died on May 31, 
was trained in Ireland with another Labrador, Paddy, to sniff out a chemical used in manufacturing DVDs.
A dog trained to sniff out pirated discs, from a Malaysian unit which criminals have made threats against,
has been found dead in the undisclosed location where it was kept, according to a report. Manny, was a one-year-old golden Labrador. "We have sent Manny's body to University Putra Malaysia for a post-mortem," said Roslan Mahayuddin, the enforcement director of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. 
They arrived in Malaysia in February and had been training with police officers and getting used to 
Malaysia's climate. 
Malaysia sought to form the world's first permanent canine anti-piracy unit after borrowing two dogs - Lucky and Flo - from the US Motion Picture Association. They helped Malaysian authorities discover 1.6 million pirated DVDs during a six-month stint last year. Lucky and Flo's success reportedly caused movie pirates to place a bounty on their heads. The dogs cannot distinguish between real and pirated DVDs, but they point officers to hidden caches of discs. Mohamad Roslan said Malaysia has not yet decided whether to get a new dog to replace Manny. Manny and Paddy were donated to Malaysia by the Motion Picture Association.
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

After acquiring my first German Shepherd Dog in the early 1970s as a security dog for a body shop that I owned, I knew I was hooked on the breed. I was hired as a policeman and K9 handler in 1978 by the City of Walton, KY. I handled three K9s before being appointed Walton Police Chief. As a member of the USPCA, I competed in numerous competitions and also certified two dogs to PDI and PDII. I raised my second K9 (Marko vom Huelsman TD, PDI, PDII, SCH3, DPOI, FH, KKL-1) from a puppy. He was killed in the line of duty while assisting the Kentucky State Police in the apprehension of a suspect barricaded in a home. Marko was the first police dog in the United States to receive the DPO title. He also received the Valor Award from USA-K9 (United Schutzhund Clubs of America Police K9).( SHOT ) MOTERAY, KY.  Killed while assisting the KY State Police in Moterey KY, Marko was shot and killed by a man barricated in a house and had shot a female neighbor earlier that day. In 1982, I founded the Greater Cincinnati Schutzhund Club and continue to serve as Training Director. I have been competing in Schutzhund trials for 25 years, including three USA Nationals. In 1988 Pascha von Haus Anja was 7th place on USA’s ScH3 list. I have trained 3 dogs to the USA’s ScH3 Club and titled two dogs with the FH. Additionally, I have served as a USA Police K9 committeeman, Assistant Regional Director (Mid Eastern Region), awarded USA Gold Sport Medal, member of USA and SV (German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany), USA Breed Warden, trained numerous police K9s and handlers, and was hired as a canine consultant and evaluator to the Boone County Police Department (KY) and the Covington (KY) Police Departments. A few great dogs I have owned and handled are: 
Marko von Huelsman 
Dando vom Huelhin Hof 
Pascha von Haus Anja 
Gauner von der Gansebrucke 
Unkas zum Jurgenshof 
Hascan vom Adelmannsfelder Land (I have now) 
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA 

Police mourn the loss of retired police dog Max
Peterborough police are mourning the loss of one of their own. Police service dog Max died March 26, from Spondilosis, a spinal condition which is common in working dogs. Max was the service's first police dog to retire from active duty and he was trained and partnered with Detective Constable Stacey Rutherford. He retired in 2005 after eight years with the force. The former ambassador of the Peterborough police department, Max was involved in many cases where he helped apprehend suspects, track missing persons, and recover narcotics, evidence and property. In 1997 Max won a gold medal for narcotics detection in the Canadian Law Enforcement Games in Guelph. In 2003, Max and Police Service Dog partner Casey were invited by the FBI to take part in a joint forces drug and money laundering take down in Buffalo. submitted by Jim Cortina

K-9 partner of Atwater police chief dies of stroke
                  The Atwater Police Department has lost one its most beloved members. Max, a 10-year old German Shepherd who worked alongside Police Chief Reed Schmidt for more than eight years in the K-9 unit, died unexpectedly last week. It’s believed Max suffered a stroke, possibly the result of internal injuries he received Nov. 14, 2006, during a criminal assault that also injured Schmidt. “It’s a hard loss for me,” Schmidt said. “He was more than just a K-9, he was my partner and my buddy. He was a companion to me for all these years.” Born in 1997 in Czechoslovakia, Max came to the United States when he one after being purchased by a company that trained him for police work. The Atwater Police Department obtained Max in October 1999 with the help of a federal grant. As one of the first K-9 units in the area, Schmidt said Max worked heavily in the early years doing drug and vehicles searches, and tracking people for Meeker and Kandiyohi counties and area school districts.  “He was a very good criminal deterrent,” Mayor Bruce Baker said. “When people saw that dog and they had any drugs on them, he had it.” Baker said Schmidt and Max made an excellent team. Max was “feared by some and loved by most,” Baker said. “We’re going to miss Max because he did a lot of good for the town.” “He was fantastic,” Schmidt said of Max. “We did so many things together over the years.
Max loved to work and was often waiting by the squad car for Schmidt. When Schmidt returned from a year in Iraq, Max was there waiting, “ready to get back to work.” During patrols Max often rested his head on Schmidt’s shoulder, looking out the front window. The duo was popular at the elementary school in Atwater where Max showed off his obedience training. “He was always a big ham,” Schmidt said. When there was a crowd, “it was his time to shine.”  When Schmidt would drive by the school with Max in the back seat, Schmidt said “Kids would yell out, ‘Hi Max. Hi Max’ and then they’d say, ‘Oh, hi Officer Reed.’ I did get second billing.” Max and Schmidt were scheduled to appear at the school next week as part of a six-week safety program. Students there sent Schmidt cards in remembrance of Max. Max lived with Schmidt and they knew each other well. “If I was having a bad day, he knew about it.”  Likewise, Schmidt knew there was something wrong last Tuesday. Max was fine at work that day, but by 8:30 p.m., he appeared “disoriented.” Schmidt called the veterinarian, who advised him to keep a close watch. “I sat up with him all night,” Schmidt said.Max died early the next morning. Schmidt said the vet determined Max died of a stroke likely linked to the 2006 incident when Schmidt was injured in an attack, eventually losing the sight in one eye.
During the attack, the squad car was repeatedly rammed. Max was inside and knocked unconscious. He didn’t come around until the attacker was apprehended. Schmidt said he has no doubt that injury resulted in the fatal stroke that killed his partner. Going to work now “just isn’t the same,” Schmidt said. “He was always waiting for me,” he said. “Now there’s just an empty spot.”  submitted by Jim Cortina

Beckley P.D. Rottweiler K-9 succumbs to cancer
Merlin, the city’s and possibly the state’s only Rottweiler K-9, died Thursday morning, Chief Tim Deems said. Merlin was 7. In November, Merlin was diagnosed with a form of cancer affecting his lymph nodes. Statistically, a dog with that type of cancer would only have one to three months to live. However, Merlin remained on duty with the city. His handler, Cpl. Will Reynolds, said Merlin remained active and eager to work. Deems believed Merlin was on duty as late as Wednesday night. “He wasn’t just riding in the vehicle,” Deems said. “He was out working and was very successful at it.” Merlin’s work after the cancer diagnosis included tracking what city police said was an intoxicated shoplifting suspect who shoved a Beckley Wal-Mart loss prevention officer and threatened to shoot her. Merlin continued to track down illegal drugs as well, which Deems noted was his forte. He attributed that largely to Merlin’s breed, given that Rottweilers have such a strong will to work. But while Merlin had an intimidating presence at first glance, he was a kind, good-natured dog that would quickly warm up to people, Deems said. He noted police dogs like Merlin live in their handlers’ homes, and the bond between the officers, the dogs and the officers’ families is extremely strong. “No doubt, this is something Reynolds will really have to deal with over the next few days and weeks,” Deems said. Upon Reynolds’ request, Merlin has been buried at the city police shooting range, where K-9 officers take their dogs for training and breaks, Deems said.  “I thought it was a good idea,” Deems said. “Merlin being there will be a reminder for all K-9 officers when they’re down there about the good job and the service Merlin and Reynolds provided. We certainly thank them. “Merlin provided very good service to the city. ... We will miss him.”
submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA

February 11, 2008
John A. Lazzarotti and the City of Burlington Police Department announce the passing of 
Police Canine Mic on February 9, 2008. Mic and his handler were on patrol when Mic suddenly became disoriented. Mic was rushed to the animal hospital and was diagnosed with terminal cancer and 
internal bleeding.  Mic was imported from Hungary to the United States in 2001. Mic and his beloved handler,
Officer Matthew Wiesniewski graduated from the Philadelphia Canine Academy in the spring 
of 2002. The K-9 team was actively involved with the community making frequent visits
to schools, senior citizens housing, charitable events, and was a blood donor to the 
Willingboro Veterinarian Clinic for blood donations.
 Mic was injured this year while conducting a track for a wanted person and 
received a Purple Paw award for a broken leg he sustained during the track.
MEMORIAL SERVICE:  Public Welcomed
 February 19, 2008 at 1800 hrs 
Council Chambers @ 525 High Street 
 the City of Burlington. 
Any officer or K-9 handler wishing to attend with their partner
is requested to contact Sgt. Alan Snow. (609) 386-0262 ext. 214.
Donations in memory of Mic can be made to the 
City of Burlington Police Department Adopt A Dog program.
***************
Solemn farewell planned for city police dog
The Police Department will hold a memorial service Tuesday, Feb. 19th for K-9 Mic, a beloved German shepherd who died Saturday after serving six years on the city's K-9 unit. Mic was on patrol Saturday with his handler, Officer Matthew Wiesniewski, when he became disoriented. He was rushed to an animal hospital, where he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and internal bleeding. He died that day, at the age of 8. “He was a wonderful comrade. My best friend,” Wiesniewski said yesterday. Mic was raised in Hungary and brought to the United States in 2001. He and Wiesniewski graduated from the Philadelphia Canine Academy in the spring of 2002. Mic was trained as a patrol dog, and was used for building searches, tracking criminals and missing children, and apprehending criminals. Wiesniewski recalled one incident where police pulled over a stolen motor vehicle. Police arrested the two passengers, but the driver fled. “(Mic) ended up finding the guy about 40 yards from the car, hiding in the woods,” Wiesniewski said. Mic also helped police track a burglary suspect, and find a gun buried behind a gas station. “He has done quite a bit in his short life span,” he said. In October, Mic was tracking a wanted person in Burl-ington Township when he was attack-ed by two Labrador retrievers. He suffered a broken leg, and returned to work about a week ago. Wiesniewski said his fellow officers presented Mic with a “purple paw” award for his bravery. In addition to his patrol work, Mic visited schools and nursing homes. Wiesniewski said the dog was friendly and docile in the community. He would do anything to please you,” he said. “He loved everybody. He was always out there to make a friend.”
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at City Hall on High Street. Any officer or K-9 handler who wishes to attend with their canine partner can contact:
Sgt. Alan Snow at (609) 386-0262 ext. 214. Donations can be made to the City of Burlington Police Department Adopt-A-Dog program. Wiesniewski thank-ed the community and surrounding police departments for their support. There are now three active police dogs in Burlington City — Odie, Max and Duce. The department also has a retired police dog, Rocky.  submitted by Jim Cortina  & E-mail: lsheibley@phillyBurbs.com
And.... Previous news: 
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Bullet Proof K-9's
Bullet The Associated Humane Societies Vested Interest Fund continues to supply bullet-proof and knife-proof vests to law enforcement K-9s wherever there is a need. Most recently, the Society delivered a K-9 vest to Burlington City Police Officer Jaime Lambing’s partner, K-9 Odie. Also on hand was Police Officer Matthew Wiesniewski and his partner, K-9 Mic who had received a vest previously. Both K-9 vests were provided through the generosity of Moorestown attorney, Mark Catanzaro, who donated the entire cost of each vest which now costs $825. State Senator Diane Allen (R-7th District) was on hand to congratulate the officers and their K-9s. Burlington City Police Officer Jaime Lambing (l.) with his partner, K-9 Odie who was just presented with a protective vest. Thanks to the generosity of Moorestown attorney, Mark Catanzaro, he donated the funds to purchase Odie’s vest as well as the vest that went to Officer Matthew Wiesniewski and his partner, K-9 Mic. On hand for the presentation was State Senator Diane Allen.
New Partner... June 2008 - K9 MYA

MWD MARCO 26 April 2007 Services
Marco was Electrocuted in Line Of Duty Death 20 Jan 2007 while on a Mission. A display stands in memory of Marco, a military working dog killed Jan. 19 while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, during a recent memorial ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Marco was assigned to the 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Faytinger) 
Staff Sgt. Alissa Jones salutes as she passes the memorial display for military working dog Marco during a recent memorial ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Sergeant Jones and Marco were deployed to Iraq when the dog was electrocuted Jan. 19 while patrolling for bomb-making materials and weapons in Baghdad. Following Sergeant Jones are: Staff Sgt. Brent Reimers with MWD Bratling; and Staff Sgt. Arthur Dennis with MWD Jambo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Faytinger) 
A display stands in memory of Marco, a military working dog killed Jan. 19 while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, during a recent memorial ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Marco was assigned to the 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Faytinger) 
Staff Sgt. Alissa Jones holds back tears as Col. Dean C. Jackson, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, passes Marco's remains to her during a recent memorial ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Marco, a military working dog assigned to the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, was killed Jan. 19 in Iraq while on patrol with Sergeant Jones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Faytinger)      submitted by Jim Cortina

Police Rottweiler Dies Of Cancer 
Scotland’s first Rottweiler to be used as a police dog in Scotland has died.  Six-year-old Mac was diagnosed with bone cancer and deteriorated rapidly in ten days. He was put to sleep on January 16.  Sergeant Cameron Shanks, of Central Scotland Police’s Dog Section, said: “It was a shock how quickly his illness took over. We are all very upset at the loss.”
Mac began limping and his handler Constable Jonathan Inglis took him to the vet where he received the devastating news that Mac had bone cancer. 
Sergeant Shanks said: “Mac was a very high profile dog as he was the only working Rottweiler in a Scottish force. He was very obedient and reacted very quickly to his handler’s commands. He had a massive presence due to his stature and was exceptionally loyal.” 
Mac was found wandering in an industrial estate in Falkirk in 2003 and was taken to a pound. The Dog Section were made aware of him when nobody claimed him.  Sergeant Shanks said: “I felt at that time that he had the qualities to become an excellent police dog. The one thing that stood out about him was his fantastic temperament.”
Mac was placed with Constable Jonathan Inglis and they attended an initial training course at Strathclyde in 2003. He won best dog on the course. During his working career, which spanned four years, he attended 1,785 calls throughout the force and was responsible for apprehending 206 criminals and locating 31 vulnerable missing persons. He was also responsible for recovering property to the value of £69,000.  Constable Inglis said: “Mac was a fantastic police dog and a great ambassador for the Rottweiler breed. Together we apprehended hundreds of people, recovered thousands of pounds of stolen property and more importantly found a lot of missing persons, in some instances saving lives. 
“Mac was an exceptional dog when at home with my family and I. He was placid, gentle, very sociable and was part of the family. He will be missed greatly by a lot of people, but most of all he will be missed by me".
Sergeant Shanks added: “Mac and Constable Inglis were a formidable team. We take great pride in the fact that Mac was rescued from the dog pound and turned into one of the most effective police dogs the force 
has ever had.
“His time with us was enjoyable for everyone, especially the dog himself who was a very happy animal. He will be sadly missed by everyone". submitted by Jim Cortina

Pittsburgh Police Officer Serving In Air Force To Wear K-9 Cop's Ashes
 Pittsburgh police Officer Tim Crane is on leave from the department to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in Afghanistan. He said he believes Makin, his K-9 partner, who passed earlier this month, will protect him there.  Crane and Makin came together when his wife, Becky, got her as a graduation present from the police academy.  "I knew I wanted to become a K-9 officer with the city of Pittsburgh, and it just happened; she fell into our lap," said Crane. "I knew she had some spunk. She had traits that city of Pittsburgh K-9 units were looking for."       Makin served for more than seven years. "She was pretty small-framed for a police dog," said Crane. "What she didn't have in size, she definitely had in heart. "We would kid and say everyone she sent her on we were able to apprehend."  Makin retired in 2004 and came home to live with Crane, his wife, children and other dog. But on Jan. 6, at age of 14, Makin had to be put down.  "She was part of the family, like a child, like their sibling," said Crane. "She was a wonderful girl."  Makin's ashes sit in a place of honor, and when Crane, a chaplain's assistant, leaves with the 911th Airlift Wing for Afghanistan, he will wear some of those ashes in a black onyx cross.  "She not only protected me here, she will protect me there, and they say I will need it," said Crane." She will be with me all the time."
submitted by Renee Konais