Tacoma police dog dies after ingesting meth
Mar 26, 2015, 12:30 PM | Updated: Mar 27, 2015, 2:12 pm
(Tacoma Police Department)
Barney, a Tacoma police dog, has died after ingesting methamphetamine during a narcotics investigation.
The Tacoma News Tribune reports the BluePearl Veterinary Hospital kept him overnight and he was responsive Wednesday morning.
The 11-year-old Lab mix was with his handler, Officer Henry Betts, as he was serving a search warrant when he became sick. Barney reportedly suffered seizures and his body temperature reached 109 degrees.
Police say narcotics dogs usually signal when drugs are present by placing their noses on the substance. But in this case, the drugs were unwrapped and Barney came in direct contact with the meth.
Prosecutors told the Tribune they’re not sure yet if they will amend charges against three defendants after Barney’s death.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.