Heartbreaking moment police dog farewells dead partner

GRAB the tissues, this picture of loyal police dog Figo saying goodbye to his dead handler will melt even the hardest of hearts.

Sad moment police dog farewells partner

IT'S a scene bound to melt even the hardest of hearts - a loyal police dog saying the saddest of goodbyes to his handler who was killed in an ambush.

Tragic scenes of Figo, whose K-9 trainer Jason Ellis died last week in an ambush in Bardstown, Kentucky, at his partner's funeral have attracted tears and attention on social media.

The German Shepherd is pictured bowing his muzzle and stretching out his paw to touch his partner's casket in a final sad gesture of respect.

"Figo was almost giving him that final hug goodbye. I think that picture brought more tears than anything," Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin told the Daily News.

The dog and his handler had worked to combat and make a dent in the area's drug problem in the past few years, police said.

Figo has since been retired from service and will live with the dead officer's family.

Comments on Twitter ranged from sadness at Mr Ellis' death to admiration and respect for the incredible bond the pair shared.

Why we love dogs; take-your-breath-away pic of police dog reaching out 2 coffin of his partner killed in line of duty huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/fig…

— Christi Paul (@Christi_Paul) June 3, 2013

Awe so sad!! Police Dog Bids Farewell To Slain Officer Killed In Ambush huff.to/12psHuQ

— Leah Holiove (@Leah_Holiove) June 3, 2013

Think I'm going to cry :'( *hugs and kisses own goggy* huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/fig…

— Pitu(@pitusultan) June 3, 2013

But if you're still not teared-up or touched, this picture of retired police dog Kaiser may do the trick.

The K9 officer was recently saluted in a guard of honour by police from Plymouth Massachusetts, on his final walk of duty after being diagnosed with kidney disease.

Kaiser gets a guard of honour during his final walk with his fellow police officers. Picture: Facebook

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