KAWARTHA LAKES-Woodstock Police Service Dog (PSD) Taz died in the line of duty of Wednesday.
The Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit responded to a call to assist the Stratford Police Service with a drug-related investigation Monday, July 3, 2023. Police say while conducting a search, PSD Taz and PSD Striker both appeared to ingest drugs. Narcan was administered and PSD Taz and PSD Striker were rushed to a Veterinarian Clinic.
PSD Taz did not make it and died in the line of duty. PSD Striker remained at the clinic under observation, but is doing better and has returned home today.
PSD Taz joined the Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit, began training in 2021, and was officially deployed in 2022, allowing PSD Striker to begin transitioning into more of a community service-oriented role. Police say he was young but respected throughout the K9 community, as he had developed into an outstanding detection dog.
In his short but successful career, PSD Taz, assisted with a number of arrests, drugs and weapons investigations, missing persons investigations and community service engagements.
“PSD Taz was well-loved and cared for and will be greatly missed by his family, the entire Woodstock Police Service, his K9 friends and all of the groomers, vets and therapists who worked closely with him.” said police in a press release.
Charges have been laid in this case but no further information was provided.
