A “friendly search” dog, who tracks missing people and helps find narcotics, will not be returned to his police dog duties with the Ashland, Massachusetts, Police Department, following a deadly incident in December that left a small dog dead. The German shorthaired pointer, named Tuukka, joined the police department in December, and that same month, he killed a dog that resided in the same home where he lived with his handler, Officer Larry Rodkey.
Though Tuukka will not be returning to his police duties, his life is being spared. Town Manager Michael Herbert said:
The dog has not been put down,” adding, “I’m glad we’re not going to have to put the dog down, but he will not be put back in service.”
As reported by Yahoo News, Tuukka is currently living in the town kennels, but he will be relocated to somewhere more “suitable,” where he can possibly utilize his high prey drive for hunting.
Herbert said:
“He has a prey drive, which (on the) one hand makes him good for his job, but on the other hand led to this situation occurring.”
This breed originated in Germany and they were specifically bred for hunting. German shorthaired pointers are known for having a friendly demeanor, a high prey drive, and for being very “energetic.”
(Photo via Ashland, MA, Police Department)
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