Darien Police K-9 Grizzly Put to Sleep

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Grizzly K-9 police Officer Leslie DaSilva

Caption for one of the photos of Grizzly (with Officer Leslie DaSilva) on his Instagram account: "Funny outtake from our graduation day photos. Grizzly was so excited, he couldn't sit still

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Grizzly, a black labrador retriever who only recently started as a Darien Police K-9, was put to sleep Monday, after the dog was diagnosed with bone cancer. He was 3 years old.

“We’re thankful for the time we had with him,” Police Chief Ray Osborne told the Police Commission on Tuesday. Grizzly had been trained for narcotics detection work and, being a gentle dog like many labrador retrievers, was also a public relations asset for the Police Department.

Photo from Superior Tactics & K-9 on Facebook

Grizzly on his last day.

The decision to put Grizzly to sleep was made when the dog could no longer walk, Osborne said.

Grizzly started work only in January, one of two new police dogs in the department (the other one is Argo, a year-old german shepherd). Police Officer Leslie Silva trained with the dog. At the time, the department said in an announcement, “Grizzly” was selected as a K-9 with incredible drive and a keen ability to detect narcotics in a variety of environments.”

On April 18, the department announced that Grizzly had been diagnosed with bone cancer. The company that raised him, Superior Tactics & K-9 Services in New Milford, took him back to care for him in his last days. Frank Reda of the firm wrote on Facebook that day that Grizzly’s condition was “deteriorating rapidly.” Reda added:

Grizzly is only 3 years old and is full of life. Pictured below is him swimming as he loved to do. […] Grizzly will be staying with me where he will be pampered and nursed. Grizzly is a very special dog and will be given all that can be offered to him to give him the comfort and dignity he deserves.

Reda wrote in a Facebook post published on Tuesday:

Last night things took a turn for the worse for K9 Grizzly. The Bone Cancer deteriorated his pelvis so quickly that he was unable to stand and function any more.

As I sat with him outside waiting to be called for me to carry him in, my family and I sat there comforting him but by the look in his eyes it sure felt like he was trying to comfort us.

A truly special dog that was a blast to be hang with. Thank you for your service K9 Grizzly and thanks for just being you!

A little over a week ago,Superior K-9 Services posted this message and picture:

Grizzly K-9 from Superior Tactics & K-9 on Facebook 05-02-17

Image from Superior Tactics & K-9 on Facebook

Pancake pampering

For all of the fans of K9 Grizzly of Darien PD, Grizzly is doing fantastic!Grizzly is loving life despite his struggle with Bone Cancer.

This is a photo of Grizzly enjoying an early morning stack of hot pancakes, a small treat for him outside of his routine raw beef diet that he thoroughly enjoys everyday!

Although Grizzly has a limited number of days ahead of him, his spirits are happy and full of life! Grizzly is spending his days being pampered and well taken care of by @superiork9s master trainer, Frank Reda and his family.

“We’ll look for another labrador,” Osborne said. Police again are looking for a dog to search for narcotics at certain traffic stops or crime scenes. Police dogs work full-time for the department, going on patrol even when their services aren’t needed.

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Grizzly K-9 police Officer Leslie DaSilva

Caption for one of the photos of Grizzly (with Officer Leslie DaSilva) on his Instagram account: “Funny outtake from our graduation day photos. Grizzly was so excited, he couldn’t sit still.”

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