Officers pay final respects to police dog before animal is put down

OFFICERS form guard of honour outside vet clinic where police dog was taken to be put down.

PIC FROM MERCURY PRESS/CATERS NEWS(PICTURED: POLICE OFFICERS FORM AN HONOUR GUARD FOR THE POLICE DOG AS HES TAKEN, CARRYING HIS FAVOURITE TOY, TO BE PUT DOWN) These are the heart-warming images from the heros send off of a police dog who was being taken to be put down. Judge, a retired police dog at the West Deptford Township in New Jersey, was given a touching farewell at Swedesboro Animal Hospital St. Francis Veterinary Clinic - with more than 30 police officers paying their respects. The nine-year-old German Shepherd was deployed more than 280 times in cases including drug detection, tracking and apprehension. SEE MERCURY COPY.

WITH close to 30 fellow police officers giving salute, Corporal Michael Franks walked the streets of New Jersey with his partner and beloved pet for the last time.

The officers formed a guard of honour outside St. Francis Veterinary Center, where a police canine named Judge was taken to be put down.

Cpl Franks made the heartbreaking decision to have Judge euthanased after the German Shepperd suffered vomiting, bleeding, hair loss and fatigue - all symptoms of Cushings disease.

The nine-year-old dog had been on the job since 2007, before retiring in August 2013 and falling ill.

One final walk.

Judge was deployed up to 280 times in his law enforcement career, in cases involving drug detection, tracking and apprehension, notching 152 arrests to his name, reports gloucestercountyonline.com.

Judge’s illness elicited an amazing show of support in November last year, when more than $13,000 ($16, 600 AUD) was raised in a single day to help pay his medical bills.

The nurses of the Pennsylvania veterinary hospital pay their respects.

Sadly, the treatment wasn’t enough to alleviate the dog’s symptoms, and the decision was made to put him down.

According to NJ.com, police from surrounding districts also showed up to farewell the dog.

“It’s about showing respect, but also the people who are here wanted to thank Judge for his service to the community,” said Sgt Dan Eliasen, who supervises the K-9 division in neighbouring Glassboro.

“We all go through it,” he said. “No handler escapes this part of it.”

Judge was a beloved member of the force.

Originally published as Officers pay final respects to police dog before animal is put down