Sniffer dog dies of suspected drug overdose

Lanshire England;"A police sniffer dog died of a suspected overdose after a drug search. Police said that Todd, a 7-year-old Springer spaniel, fell ill after searching a car and field in Preston, northwest England. His handler took him to a vet, but his condition deteriorated and he died at Liverpool University's specialist animal unit. A police spokeswoman said a veterinarian had said the dog's symptoms were consistent with an amphetamine overdose. Blood samples were being analyzed to confirm the cause of death. Todd had served with the Lancashire force for five years, and was a family dog also. "He lived with them and they would all go for walks with him -- he was their dog. It was a shock for them," said Sgt. Peter Crane of the force's dog handling unit. "He was a little bit daft, like all springers are, but they are good working dogs and they are very, very keen," No drugs were recovered during the search, police said. I wonder if they gave him the same rights a police officer would get if they died in the line of duty? I hope so.. Is a sad thing for anyone to die for the fact of drugs, but he did what he was trained to do and that I am proud of animals that are able to do this"