Salem police dog Granit dies of a stomach condition
February 27th, 2009 | by admin |A Salem police dog died earlier this month from natural causes, police officials said.
Police dog Granit, a 7-year-old German shepherd, died Feb. 4.
The department said Granit died of a canine stomach condition called gastric dilation volvulus, or whats more commonly known as bloat.
Gastric dilation volvulus happens when the stomach becomes distended and rotates, causing internal injury, said veterinarian Robert Shimek of Hoffman Animal Clinic in northeast Salem. Shimek was not Granits veterinarian.
Shimek said the condition can occur without warning in large-breed, deep-chested dogs.
Granit was born in the city of Bebra, Germany, and began training with the Salem Police Department in March 2005. He was certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association and began active duty on May 2, 2005, with Officer Ryan Demmer.
In July, Granit bit and detained Oregon State Hospital escapee Michael Sands, whose carjacking spree included ramming a patrol car and fighting with several officers.
Sands was wrestling with one police officers firearm when Granit latched onto Sands and held him until other officers arrived.
Granits career included searches on patrol, narcotics sting operations, SWAT missions and searches for missing people, Okada said.
Both Granit and Demmer participated in the search and arrests of 416 suspects, totaling 751 criminal charges.
via Statesman Journal