Eight-Year Veteran K9 Passes Away
Justis, the Brown Deer Police Department's lead K9 dog, passed away Wednesday. Police Chief says National Night Out for Justice will still take place, but now for a different reason.
Justis, the Brown Deer Police Department's Dutch Shepherd who worked all over the area, helped sniff out drugs, chase down criminals and taught children about the police department. Sadly, his service ended Wednesday when he passed away from a quickly onsetting infection.
"He’s going to be missed because he did work with a lot of different people," Brown Deer Police Chief Steven Rinzel said. "Entries, drug searches, there were school searches we had, plus he was also very friendly with kids."
And while Justis was a member of the Brown Deer Police Department, Rinzel said he's assisted communities all across Southeastern Wisconsin including Oak Creek, the North Shore, Ozaukee and Washington counties, to name a few.
Justis was taken to a vetrinary hospital in Madison where the doctor determined Justis passed away from Gastric Torsion, a type of bloat common in large-breed dogs. Rinzel said the department had no idea Justis was even sick because he was such a strong dog.
"These dogs are trained to ignore pain," he said. "A homespun dog, we may have noticed it. But these dogs, the first thing you notice is they usually stop eating. He didn’t eat breakfast that morning, and he passed away in the afternoon."
Justis had been a member of the department for eight years and was scheduled to retire in January. He would have been 11 in September. And while Rinzel said Brown Deer will still hold their National Night Out on July 31 at the Village Park, 4920 W. Green Brook Dr., this year's celebration will be for a different reason.
"That’s why we were having this National Night Out for Justice, because he’s retiring," Rinzel said. "We’re still going to be doing it, but it just has a little bit different meaning now."
Suzanne H.
5:28 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
RIP Justis-it was an honor for all who knew you.
David Tatarowicz
2:07 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I love dogs, I have dogs, I even had a dog that suffered the same fate as Justice.
But a dog is a dog --- we should not be personifying them.
Why dedicate Night Out to a dog --- have there been no abused children, or innocent folks maimed or killed in Brown Deer to whom the event could be dedicated for.
I know --- good publicity, bring the kids in by using the dog thing --- just like bringing them into McDonalds with the Clown.
This is another example of priorities that just defy logic.
Bill Moulas
11:03 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
RIP Justis. And David, he was a K9 Officer who performed a service for his community, that's more than most people do.....He wasn't just a dog that sat on your lap. You're way off, hopefully you'll figure that out.
jearlm
12:55 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The dog's name is Justis. The "Night out for Justice" is a national movement and is not DEDICATED to Justis. The K9 unit participates in NNO regularly, as it gives the community a chance to interact with the k9. This will be an opportunity for the community to remember the great service that Justis provided. Your comments obviously do not reflect a true understanding of a k9 program or the unbelievable bond between a service dog and his handler and the community.
David Tatarowicz
12:23 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
@ Bill M & J ---- A K9 Officer --- K90 yes, Officer no --- just as a horse that a police Officer rides is a Horse, not an Equistrian Officer.
Both your comments are indicative of the Personification that people put upon their pets and animals.
Justis did as he was Taught to do -- and by which his breed had been bred for --- he was a working dog, and as much as I love my dogs, I do not give them Human attributes.
BTW as I noted, I had a large breed dog that had the same problem and about the same age.
Luckily for my dog, and more than likely for Justis, I did not treat my dog as a person when he had the problem --- like many people do who blur the difference between beloved pet and a person.
There is an operation that the vet can do to try to solve the problem. Not a good success rate, but more importantly, prolongs the suffering of the dog.
I would never subject any animal to a procedure that will prolong their suffering.
I believe I have a duty to protect my animals --- and any animal from undue suffering --- especially if it is not a quick fix very temporary situation --- I would much rather put the animal to sleep and end their agony, than to submit them to something which may prolong their life, but for my enjoyment, not theirs.
Terry
5:14 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
You spoke above of priorities that defy logic... With all the other issues facing us in today's world, this is the one you chose to take a stand on?
Let the dog have his day....
Bill Moulas
10:36 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Using the term 'Officer' in reference to a K9 Police Dog is just a matter of symantics, isn't? I recognize that there are laws that protect the Police K9 and give it greater protection and power ... that a 'civilian' dog has .... similar to the official rank that military dogs are given, always holding a rank higher than the handler, btw. In any case, point noted and I understand where you're coming from now with that lead off.
I know dogs that have successfully had the surgery, but I can't speak on success rate or any detailed specifics on the affliction. I'm not qualified in that regard. It's a terrible thing, sorry to hear that you've experienced it with your canine. I have been fortunate to not have any experience with it.
As for National Night Out, and celebrating both Justis's long career and service to his community; It's important that as a community we take more moments, times like these to recognize the sacrifice and committment that Brad and Justis gave us. Justis was not just an ordinary dog (is there such a thing?). People generally see the K9's in PR settings, at fairs and don't have any concept to the day to day toll it takes on the animal as well as the officer. The bond is intense, whether or not anyone has compassion for that is another thing but I choose to recognize it and what better setting than National Night Out? I hope to be there and I hope you will be there too, to join us in celebrating them.
Bill Moulas
10:39 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
BTW, I wouldn't say I personify my dogs as people .... but I do know that I treat and raise them a lot better than a lot of parents treat and raise their own children. Sad. I do understand where you're coming from and there are some that take that too far. I bet we are closer to that topic than others, it is a wacky world out there.