KRISHA WILLIAMS TURBEVILLE
RESCUE IN THE ROCK

Officer Christopher Galluppo lost his partner July 1 when a snake bite killed one of Jacksonville’s four K9s.

Jeff, a 3-year-old German shepherd, was at the home he shared with Galluppo and his family when he was bitten. Later, Jeff had a fatal allergic reaction to the venom, said April Kiser, public information officer for the department.

“He will be greatly missed by the entire department as Jeff was a hard worker but extremely social to his law enforcement family,” the department said in a news release Monday. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Canine officer Bruno retired from the Texarkana, Ark., police force recently after nearly seven years of dedicated service.

The 10-year-old German Shepherd will go from partner to pet for his handler, Cpl. Kevin Bounds.

“He comes to my house; he stays with me,” Bounds said. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO — The city of San Diego says it will sell its seven police horses via an online auction as a way to help balance its budget.

The horse unit, started in 1983, is disbanding, and the officers have been assigned to other units.

About a third of the San Diego Police Department’s dogs are also being laid off. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis police dog critically injured when he was stabbed 10 times while helping capture a burglary suspect is getting a belated Christmas present.

Gunner, a 6-year-old German shepherd, is on the list for a custom-fitted protective vest designed to protect him from getting stabbed again.

It will come courtesy of Susan Jean of Socorro, N.M., who runs a nonprofit agency that has provided vests for 500 police dogs in 39 states. (more…)