Queensland police dog Waco dies on duty
One of Queensland Police Service's young police dogs has died on duty.
Waco had been tracking an offender who fled from a stolen vehicle in Deception Bay about 1.30pm on Thursday with his handler.
Police dog Waco died while on duty.
Photo: Queensland Police/InstagramHalf an hour later Waco's handler noticed the dog had become unsteady on his feet.
Recognising signs of heat stress, Waco's handler immediately gave him water before rushing him to a nearby vet.
Despite efforts to lower his body temperature and replace lost fluids, Waco died in the early hours of Friday.
His handler, an experienced senior constable, was devastated by the loss, according to police.
The Queensland Police Service breed their own dogs, so Waco had been with police from the day he was born.
Waco, less than two years old, was one of 62 general-purpose police dogs - a group generally made up of German shepherds chosen for their excellent senses of smell and hearing.
The dogs live with their handlers, and usually become very attached to each other, police said.
Rachel Clun is a reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald. She was previously a reporter with the Brisbane Times and Domain.
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