(Publisher’s note: I know there are lots of dog loving readers of Chelsea Update, so I wanted to pass along the sad news about K9 Ziva.)
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of K-9 Ziva, a 7-year-old, female, Belgian Malinois police service dog who was retired several weeks ago as a result of some medical issues. She subsequently died on Saturday, Jan. 5.
Ziva was credited with numerous significant drug finds and seizures, a variety of other finds including firearms and evidence, as well as numerous tracks leading to the arrests of dangerous individuals.
Most recently, she assisted another agency in locating an individual contemplating suicide in a thickly wooded area, who would not have otherwise been located or helped.
“In this instance, without question, she saved a life,” according to information about her service record.
High functioning police service dogs are among the very best of the working breeds in attitude, temperament and courage, according to the press release. They spend so much time with their handlers and the community that we react to them more like a person, than a dog.
Ziva was an intelligent, energetic, hard-working and devoted police partner and companion; as well as a significant part of her handler, Deputy Visel’s, family. Everyone enjoyed her presence and she will be missed.
Following a long-standing tradition among police service dog handlers, Ziva was quietly attended to Saturday morning by a number of police dog handlers from our area, who gathered in her honor and in support of Deputy Visel.
In her 5 years with the WCSO, K9 Ziva received numerous accommodations including Life Saving Awards and Unit Citations for her work on cooperative efforts in the community.
My best regards for Deputy Visel and his family.
From one of your dog-loving readers: Thank you for sharing the news about Ziva. This brave canine will be sadly missed. Condolences to WCSO and the Visels.