Photo: Canton Police Department
While most do not agree that animals should serve in the line of duty, they do and many are heroes in everything from preventing drug smuggling to helping to solving crimes, and finding missing people. Many also protect their human partners during dangerous situations, which is how Jethro, a police dog in Ohio, was said to have been injured this past week. Entering a building where a suspected robbery in progress was underway, Jethro was shot four times just as his human partner followed. Jethro was immediately taken for treatment at a local veterinarian but unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries.
Jethro is the second dog this past year to die while serving humans. Diesel, a military dog in France, was also laid to rest after sustaining fatal injuries during the line of duty. Diesel’s death prompted a new effort to help create and provide affordable, effective body armor for dogs in the police force and military.
We sure are sorry to hear that both Jethro and Diesel have lost their lives, and hope for a safer world for both animals and people in the future, including those who serve their countries and help keep others safe.
