Jake, a 4-year-old police Belgian Malinois dog, passed away after he located synthetic marijuana that was laced with rat poison in a cell search at a prison in Alabama.
Officials said that Jake passed away after he located synthetic marijuana that was laced with rat poison.
A statement that was released said that Jake was with his team when he found the synthetic drug inside a cell at the Staton Correction Facility.
He turned ill after the search and was brought to a veterinary facility.
Jake closed his eyes permanently at 3 pm on Saturday.
The statement also mentioned that Jake started to have spiraling vital signs and started to suffer pneumonia after sniffing the synthetic marijuana.
Jeff Dunn, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, said, “Jake’s heroism and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. I extend our deepest condolences for the loss of this noble K9 who honorably served the State of Alabama and for ultimately giving his life while protecting the public.”
The Alabama Department of Corrections also dedicated a post for Jake on Facebook.
Sergeant Quinton Jones, the handler of Jake, said that 2 nurses did CPR at Jake after he started to faint.
Sergeant Quinton said that Jake was an “impeccable record in counter-drug operations.”
Kay Ivey, the governor of Alabama, also expressed her sadness over the death of Jake.
Governor Ivey said, “I was saddened to hear that one of the Corrections K9s, Jake, lost his life over the weekend. This K9 died in service to public safety and in service to the state, Jake is an example of the goodness, the loyalty, and service that our four-legged friends provide. We certainly lost a loyal companion.”
Jake will receive full honors later this week.
Bob Horton, the spokesman of the Department of Corrections, said that Jake will be put to rest in a memorial service this week.
An investigation is also being conducted to find the person who brought in the synthetic weed.
The Departmental Investigation and Intelligence Division said that the person responsible for the death of Jake will be “prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”