Buffalo Grove police dog retiring after cancer diagnosis
Buffalo Grove police canine Saxon has quite a few accomplishments under his collar in the past four years, helping to seize more than 460 kilograms of marijuana, some $250,000 of drug money, and assisting in 500 other police activities.
But the 5-year-old German Shepherd has to step down from the service due to his recent diagnosis with cancer, police department officials said Monday.
Saxon underwent surgery last week to remove his spleen, where a tumor had grown and ruptured. Veterinarians also discovered that he has liver cancer.
Deputy Chief Roy Bethge said Saxon's "textbook" life expectancy is one to two months.
"There's nothing textbook or average about him," Bethge said. "Right now he's in healthy and vibrant shape."
Saxon's partner, Officer Danielle Baron, recently was awarded Police Officer of the Year by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club, in part for her work with Saxon, officials said.
Saxon lives with Baron, which is the usual practice among police dogs and their handlers. He will continue to live with her in retirement, officials said.
Buffalo Grove's first police dog worked for the department for 10 years; the department's last two dogs retired sooner. It's too soon to say whether the department will enlist another K-9, Bethge said.