A California police officer has had to say a gut-wrenching goodbye to his beloved K-9 partner.
Officer Curtis Chancellor of the Chula Vista Police Department was captured in a touching photo saying an emotional farewell to Griffen, a 7-year old Belgian Malinois who had to be euthanized on March 24 due to “an unfortunate medical condition,” according to the department.
On Friday, CVPD lost a trusted partner, K9 Griffen. It was a hard day for all of us, especially Griffen’s handler and best friend, Officer Chancellor. May you #RIP, Griffen. Thank you for your service to our Department and the city of #ChulaVista. -1180 pic.twitter.com/sdik99O4hN
— Chula Vista Police (@ChulaVistaPD) March 25, 2018
“Griffen will be remembered as a valued member of the Chula Vista Police Department and a loyal and loving partner,” read a news release. “It is hard to overstate the bond that a K-9 and his handler have when working long hours in dangerous situations.”
“All the letters and messages on social media have been so supportive, and it’s very nice to hear that people out there are thinking and praying for Griffen,” Chula Vista Lt. Eric Thunberg said.
The scene with Chancellor and Griffen is the latest example of the tight bond between law enforcement and their K-9 partners.
Another California police officer had tears streaming down his face during a ceremony in 2016 for his K-9 dog, who was killed in a standoff with an armed man. That same year, an Ohio community raised thousands of dollars to buy bulletproof vests for dogs in honor of a K-9 that died in a shootout.
“Anyone who’s ever had to go through that with a pet, they can visualize it and feel it. It tugs at the heartstrings,” Thunberg said.
Reference : Today
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