Richland County, SC (WLTX) - The Richland County Sheriff's department says it's mourning the loss of one of its K-9 officers.
Sheriff Leon Lott said that on Tuesday, a veterinarian discovered a mass inside the throat of K-9 Robby, one of the department's Belgian Malinois officers. The doctor determined the mass was inoperable, and officers say the dog died on Wednesday.
Robby came to the department in 2009 from Holland at the age of two. The officer was trained as a bomb dog, but also did criminal apprehension and patrol work.
Robby was partnered with Deputy Max Anderson. According to deputies, the pair's primary responsibility was security at large events, including USC football games, concerts, and presidential visits.
Lott says just last week, the two assisted in capturing a thief that had stolen a motorcycle and a home invasion suspect.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department stated that in lieu of flowers, that donations can be made to provide vests to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit in the name of K-9 Robby. You can forward your support to the Richland County Sheriff's Foundation, PO Box 1182 Columbia, South Carolina 29202.