FOREST PARK, Ohio -- A police K9 who was assisting the search Monday night for four suspects in the abduction of a toddler collapsed and died, reports say.
Dino, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois/shepherd mix, had been with the Green Township Police Department since May 2014, WLWT Channel 5 reports.
"Obviously, we're all very devastated," Green Township police Chief Jim Vetter tells WLWT. "Dino was part of our family. He was a member of our family and the officers thought of him as such.
"His handler is taking it very difficult. They're partners and Dino would give his life for his handler. And that relationship, as any canine officer would tell you, is a strong one. And he's having a real tough time."
According to WKRC Channel 12, police were called at about 10 p.m. after the suspects forced their way into a woman's home and took $2,400 along with the woman's 15-month-old daughter. They then sped off in a Ford Explorer.
Police spotted the vehicle and began chasing it. The four suspects eventually stopped and jumped out of the Explorer and began running, leaving the toddler behind unharmed.
After a K9 began a search for the suspects, Dino was brought in to assist, Fox19now.com reports. But shortly after the search began, Dino collapsed in the hot and humid conditions and stopped breathing.
He was rushed to a veterinarian but could not be revived. Dino's body was taken to Ohio State University for a necropsy to determine the cause of death, Fox19now.com reports.
The four suspects were caught and are set to appear in court on Wednesday.
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