A K9 officer with the Hall County Sheriff's Office died while on duty Tuesday, but the department doesn't know yet the cause of death.
Gus, an 8-year-old bloodhound whose job was tracking suspects, was scheduled to retire later this year, according to Sheriff's Office spokesman Derreck Booth.
Booth said when Gus collapsed on Tuesday, he was on duty but he was not actively tracking anyone. Gus was taken to Murrayville Veterinary Clinic and was given fluids and appeared to be improving; however, he took a turn for the worse, and died around 4 p.m.
"Gus was a celebrity in the community, but he was also a working celebrity," Booth said. "He was one of the best bloodhounds and tracking dogs in the department's history...typically, Gus would find whoever they put him on the ground to find."
Deputy Jeremy Prickett was Gus' handler, and Booth said the loss will be deep for Prickett's family.
"You know, he (Gus) goes home at night (with Jeremy), so Gus was a part of their family," Booth said.
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch issued a statement emphasizing that the loss will be felt across the department and the community.
"Gus and all of the dogs at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office serve the community admirably, but they’re so much more than that," Couch said. "They’re partners with their handlers, loved companions at home and friends of the public at outreach events. Gus was all of these things. He’s apprehended countless suspects over the years and was an amazing dog. Everyone in the department will miss him, but for his handler, Deputy Prickett, and the Prickett family, the loss will be greater."
Booth said Gus' body will be transported to the University of Georgia Veterinary School for autopsy. He said Gus was on the job earlier in the week with the Gainesville Police Department when he got into a private pond. Booth said given recent news reports about canine deaths from blue-green algae, they are trying to rule out exposure to algae as a possible cause of death.
Bella, the K9 officer that joined HCSO last October to take Gus' place upon his retirement has been training alongside Gus, Booth said. He said she should be ready for solo duty with a handler soon.
