A Minneapolis police dog died over the weekend during a training session.
K-9 Dutch, who was assigned to Officer Tom Fahey, was participating in the exercise on Sept. 5 when he swallowed a lacrosse ball and it became lodged in his throat.
After several attempts by Fahey and the University of Minnesota Veterinarian Staff, the ball was dislodged from the 3 1/2 year old Dutch Shepherd's throat.
They performed CPR on Dutch for a long period of time but unsuccessful in reviving him.
"K-9 Dutch was involved in numerous locates and apprehensions of people that were fugitives, fleeing from burglaries and such," Minneapolis K-9 Division Supervisor Sgt. Andy Stender said in a video tribute to the dog. "In the about 2 1/2 years he was on the street, he more than proved himself worthy as an awesome addition to the Minneapolis Police K-9 Unit."
Dutch also was certified as an Explosives Detection K-9 and assisted with numerous explosive sweeps for dignitary and special events in the area.
Fahey, like all K-9 handlers, had a strong bond with Dutch that Stender said is built through trust and the countless hours spent together.
"Most K-9 officers, we spend more time with our dogs when we're working than we actually probably do with our families when we're off," he said "They're with us 10 hours a day, and even when we're off and not working we're responsible for the care and maintenance of them.
"They are truly a valuable member of the department, but along a real loyal and valuable member of our personal families."
To learn more about the K-9 unit or to support the Minneapolis Police K-9 foundation, visit: http://www.mplspolicek9foundation.org/
