Pictured: K-9 Zoa. Photo courtesy of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office reports their newest K-9 officer, Zoa, died Friday due to an unexpected medical emergency. Authorities announced the loss of their K-9 in a post to social media Tuesday morning. Officials say she had suffered a ruptured pancreas and the complications from the condition were terminal. Sheriff, Patrick Riley, says it is not clear what caused the internal injuries, but they do not appear to be connected to a single incident. The Sheriff’s Office announced in January they were planning to add a K-9 unit to their agency and quickly raised the more than $20,000 necessary to become operational. K-9 Zoa had been working with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for a few months and was certified on narcotics detection and tracking in June. During K-9 Zoa’s short time with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, she and her handler, Deputy Kelly Moritz, had already been involved in numerous drug-related arrests. Riley says they are currently reviewing their options, but plans at this time are to bring a new K-9 into the agency as soon as possible.
