Necropsy planned after California K-9 dies while on duty

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A necropsy is planned for a K-9 who died last week while on duty for Southern California’s Kern County Sheriff’s Office, officials said.

Deputies responded Aug. 18 to a report of a shooting in Lamont, just southeast of Bakersfield, the sheriff’s office said.

A deputy and his K-9 partner searched for two suspects in a vineyard and shortly afterward the dog "began showing signs of distress," a sheriff’s office statement said.

"The K-9 handler immediately returned to his vehicle and the K-9 was rushed to a local emergency animal hospital where he later passed away," the statement said.

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The dog, named Hannes, was a two-year-old Belgian Malinois who had been with his handler since March 2021.

A necropsy was ordered to determine the cause of death, the sheriff’s office said.

The K-9′s handler, Deputy Robert Fisher, wrote in a statement that Hannes was a loyal, fearless public servant who "answered every call without hesitation."

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"At demonstrations you were the kids’ favorite, the social pup that would place your paws on my chest and want to be the center of attention. At home you stole a place in all of our hearts that will never be filled," Fisher wrote.

One of two suspects connected to the reported shooting was taken into custody. The K-9 was not used in the apprehension, officials said. No shooting victim was found.