MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – A Mendocino County Sheriff's K9 died last week after being injured in a fall.
“Argus,” a 2-year-old German Shepherd, died on the morning of Friday, Feb. 8, as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from a height of approximately 30 feet, according to Liz Evangelatos of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
Argus was off duty with his handler, Deputy Craig Walker, when he got out of an enclosed back yard, Evangelatos said.
She said Argus had wandered up onto a nearby building. Deputy Walker called Argus, who responded immediately to his handler's call, leaping off the building. The dog did not appear to be aware of the height of the structure he was on. Evangelatos said Argus’ injuries were immediately fatal.
Argus had been brought to the United States from Slovakia and was assigned to Deputy Walker for approximately six months prior to his death, Evangelatos said.
Prior to his death Argus assisted Deputy Walker on his patrol duties in the Anderson Valley Resident Post, providing handler protection duties, fugitive apprehension, drug detection and regularly attended to the needs of the citizens they served, according to Evangelatos.
She said Argus made a recent visit to the Anderson Valley School District, where the students met him and learned about the K9 duties related to law enforcement. Argus was a big hit with the school children and all who met him.
Evangelatos said Argus will be missed not only by his handler and immediate family, but by everyone in the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Argus will be remembered as devoted, courageous, and loyal.
The Sheriff’s Office will be seeking to obtain another K9 to partner with Deputy Walker to meet the law enforcement needs of the citizens in Anderson Valley and surrounding areas, Evangelatos said.
This is the second tragedy for the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office's K9 program in the last year.
Last August, the agency's K9 “Morgan,” a 15-month-old German Shepherd, died from accidentally ingesting methamphetamine during narcotics detection training, as Lake County News has reported.