New Canaan K9, Rocky, Dies During Training Accident

NEW CANAAN, Conn. — New Canaan police were mourning the loss of Rocky, a K9 officer with the department, who choked to death during a training drill late Sunday afternoon, Sgt. Carol Orginc said Monday.

Rocky, was a K9 member of the New Canaan Police Department from November to April. He died during training on Sunday.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of New Canaan Police Department*

Police were mourning the loss of Rocky, a K9 member of the department, Monday who died in training Sunday.
Photo Credit: *File Photo*

by Anthony Buzzeo

04/08/2013 4:00 p.m.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was just a tragic accident,” she said.

Ogrinc was unable to supply details of the exact drill or item Rocky and K9 Officer Michael McFadden were using when the incident occurred, but she said, “It was something he did with him all the time.”

McFadden suffered several scrapes and cuts attempting to dislodge the ball from Rocky, she said. He did everything he could do to save Rocky, Ogrinc said.

Rocky came to the police department over the summer and has been on the road since November after going through training, Ogrinc said. He rode with McFadden and was deployed when the officer felt necessary, she said.

The department has no plans to end the K9 unit and will eventually replace Rocky, Ogrinc said.

McFadden has not returned a call seeking comment.

Read the original story on Rocky's death here.

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