Holly MatkinRavenna, OH – Ravenna Police Department (RPD) K9 Mako died on April 9 due to complications of lymphangiectasia.
The chronic condition, which involved K9 Mako’s lymph nodes, negatively impacted his quality of life over time, the Record-Courier reported.
The four-year-old German shepherd was also struggling with other medical issues, according to the RPD.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Ravenna Police Department announces the passing of K9 Mako,” the department said in a Facebook post on April 10. “K9 Mako was diagnosed last year with several medical conditions that were able to be maintained through medication until recently.”
The RPD noted that these medical complications had kept K9 Mako out of work for the past several months.
“All available options and treatments were exhausted. Due to his health declining rapidly, his quality of life needed to be considered,” the police department said. “Mako passed away peacefully by his human partner’s side on April 9, 2022.”
K9 Mako and his handler, RPD Officer Josh Erb, began working together three years ago, the Record-Courier reported.
They were Ravenna’s first K9 team in 14 years.
The dual-purpose patrol and narcotics detection K9 “was a crucial part of numerous drug investigations” during his career, according to the RPD.
K9 Mako has been credited for 55 misdemeanor drug arrests, 58 felony drug arrests, and 199 total drug sniffs.
He also had nine building searches, 74 agency assists, seven apprehensions without bites, 30 tracks, and was used for K9 presence 14 times, according to his department.
“The Ravenna Police Department family is thankful for Mako’s three years of faithful service, and we will truly miss him,” the RPD said. “We also offer our condolences to the Erb Family for their loss.”
“We want to give thanks to Hartville Vet Clinic, Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, and The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center for all their hard work and efforts to care for Mako and for the compassion they showed during his treatment,” the police department added. “We would also thank the public for their support of our K9 program.”
Just posted a photo https://t.co/ASa8XFEUPO
— Ravenna PD (@PdRavenna) April 10, 2022
Ravenna Police Department and K9 Mako would like to send a wish for a Happy Mother’s Day, and hope you get to spend time with your loved ones, even if it’s not in the traditional way. #RavennaPD #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/PN9SyPdvGK
— Ravenna PD (@PdRavenna) May 10, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ravenna Police Department and Officer Erb in the loss of K9 Mako.
Sandy Malone
