Saint Marys, OH – Saint Marys Police Department (SMPD) K9 Scout died on May 1 due to complications caused by gastric dilatation-volvulus.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus – also known as a “twisted gut” or “bloat” – is an emergency medical condition, according to the Merck Manual.
K9 Scout underwent emergency surgery after the bloat occurred on April 29, but succumbed to complications of the medical issue on May 1, the SMPD said in a Facebook post the following day.
He served alongside his human partner, SMPD Patrolman Brian Parker, since March of 2015.
The German shepherd was born in Czechoslovakia on Aug. 14, 2013, according to his department.
“Since 2015, Scout and Ptl. Parker have been inseparable at work and while with the Parker family,” the SMPD said.
The beloved K9 was also an integral part of the SMPD family.
The department credited K9 Scout for multiple narcotics seizures over the years, and said he “touched so many hearts” through the community outreach he and Ptl. Parker conducted.
“Scout was a brother to Ptl. Parker, a beloved member of the Parker household and is dearly missed,” the SMPD said. “We ask that you please keep Ptl. Parker, his family, and the department in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn this loss.”
St Marys Police K-9 Officer Scout dies:https://t.co/F2KiLjNgvt pic.twitter.com/TbR0CMe8SL
— WCSM Radio (@WCSMRadio) May 2, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Saint Marys Police Department and Patrolman Parker in the loss of K9 Scout.