Bartlesville K-9 dies following kidney failure

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - A Bartlesville police K-9 drug dog that had been with the force for about three years died on Monday, according to police.

“He was like one of our own,” said Police Chief Tom Holland of Cooper, a German Shepherd.

During training last week, Cooper's partner, Officer Troy Newell, noticed that Cooper was not his usual energetic self and was acting lethargic.

After being examined by a local veterinarian and test at a Tulsa animal clinic, the dog was determined to be suffering from “serious and advanced” kidney failure, according to police.

Despite efforts to save him, Cooper's condition worsened to the point it was decided that to save him from further suffering he should be euthanized. He was euthanized on Monday.

The police department said in a release announcing the death said it has lost a friend and partner in the war on crime, saying Cooper was an excellent tracking dog and an expert narcotics finder.

“Because of Cooper's actions, significant quantities of drugs were taken off the streets of Bartlesville and our children made safer,” said the statement. “Cooper will be missed and remembered.”

Holland told BartlesvilleLIVE on Wednesday the department contacted the place from where they obtained Cooper as puppy a few months old.

Police were told an illness has been going around among German Shepherds, causing kidney failures and killing 1 out of every 100 German Shepherd.