[Police Dog Obit] J.J., the first bloodhound to work for the Salt Lake City Police Department, died early Thursday after a year-long fight against cancer.SLPD spokesman Det. Jeff Bedard announced J.J.'s death earlier today in a news release to local media. J.J. was diagnosed with a malignant cancerous growth in his mouth one year ago, and had undergone aggressive treatment in New York City.
J.J.'s handler was K9 Officer Mike Serio, who worked with the dog for almost nine years.
J.J. and Serio are responsible for the apprehension of nearly 300 suspects during the dog's long career. Even after his cancer diagnosis, J.J. apprehended some 50 suspects, Bedard said.
Serio, along with J.J. and two other bloodhounds, pioneered the bloodhound urban tracking program in Utah. Other Salt Lake Valley police agencies have since added bloodhounds to their established K9 programs.
J.J.'s superior record includes his longest track in following a supect: three miles.
Rest in peace, J.J. (Holly Mullen)
I hope he was wearing a leash for that three mile track, otherwise there'll be some angry Salt Blog commenters.
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