Heroic police dog Kenzo is stabbed to death in a scuffle by armed robbery suspects in Arizona after taking them down during a chase
- Kenzo was accompanying Pima County police searching for the two men when they saw someone entering a commercial yard on Friday
- The K-9 was let off the leash to try to locate the suspect for the department, authorities said
- When they found the dog, it was lying on the ground next to one of the robbery suspects. He was pronounced dead at a vet’s office
An Arizona police dog is being mourned after it was stabbed while chasing two suspects in an armed robbery.
Kenzo of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was let off the leash after police saw a suspect enter the perimeter of a commercial yard Friday night.
Eventually, Kenzo didn’t return and the police officers got worried and ended up rushing after him.
When they found the dog, it was lying on the ground with a knife wound next to one of the robbery suspects. He was taken to a local veterinarian but died from his injuries Tuscon.com.
“We are saddened by the loss of K9 Kenzo and remember the dangers our deputies face along with their K9 partners who serve right alongside them,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Kenzo, an Arizona police dog, is being mourned after he was stabbed as he and local sheriff’s deputies tried to chase down two armed robbery suspects
Cody D. “Slade” Bartlett, 36; and Juan Tacho, 32 – the two suspects who chased Kenzo and the officers – have since been arrested.
Bartlett is charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery and killing/injuring a work/service animal.
Tacho was taken into custody on suspicion of armed robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Dog lovers and K-9 units across the country mourn Kenzo and thank him for his service.
Kenzo was accompanying Pima County police searching for the two men when they saw someone entering the fence of a commercial yard Friday evening
The K-9 was let off the leash to try to locate the suspect for the department, authorities said
Eventually, Kenzo didn’t return and the police officers got worried and ended up rushing after him. When they found the dog, it was lying on the ground next to one of the robbery suspects
Cody D. “Slade” Bartlett (pictured left), 36; and Juan Tacho (pictured right), 32 – the two suspects who chased Kenzo and the officers – have since been arrested
“Please keep his handler and the Pima County K9 Unit in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn this tragic loss. “Gain your angel wings and fly high,” one wrote.
The Georgia Police K9 Foundation added, “May he rest in peace.” Thank you for your service, Kenzo. Our thoughts and prayers with everyone involved.’
Another quotes a Similar current example about the death of a K-9 in Tucson, adding, “Enough is enough” and adding prayers for Kenzo.