STAFF REPORT :::
A Griffin Police Department K9 Buddy was found deceased Feb. 14.
He was found in his doghouse by his handler, Officer Brian Dorety, at approximately 10 a.m.
The GPD said K9 Buddy died from natural causes.
K9 Buddy was born Sept. 15, 2016 and joined the GPD in August 2018. He was part of the K9 Unit assigned to the Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement and Special Investigation units.
K9 Buddy was a dual-purpose dog trained in narcotics and tracking and apprehension.
According to a GPD press release, K9 Buddy in 2020 assisted the CAGE and Special Investigation units in removing from the streets of Griffin approximately $94,215.90 worth of narcotics including: 7,170.31 gross grams of marijuana, 213 gross grams of cocaine, 243.07 gross grams of methamphetamine and 214 pills (Xanax, Percocet, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone).Buddy also assisted in the apprehension of 485 criminals and the removal of 41 guns from the streets of Griffin, the release stated.
K9 Buddy’s most recent track allowed for the apprehension of a subject who ran from officers. Officials say the suspect, who was later found to be in possession of a firearm, was last seen entering a wood line. Once the subject observed Buddy approaching the wood line, he put his hands up and surrendered without further incident. On his final day of work, he was responsible for a narcotic free air sniff of a vehicle which resulted in confiscation of 4.4 gross grams of methamphetamine and the arrest of the driver on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
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Publisher’s note: This article has been updated to report the cause of death, gastric dilatation volvulus.
