Zeus, a police dog who worked with the Indio Police Department, died Saturday after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, the department said in a news release Wednesday.
The dog had worked with Ofcr. Austin Studer since September of 2012 — almost four years. Together, the pair became members of the Desert Regional SWAT team and went to Indio elementary schools to teach children about police work, the police K-9 program and how to act around dogs, the department said.
Zeus was also trained in tracking, suspect searching, criminal apprehension, narcotics detection, obedience and handler protection, police said.
Officers ask anyone interested in contributing funds for a new police dog to make a donation to the Indio Police Department K-9 fund. Anyone who wishes to send cards in remembrance of Zeus can send them to the Indio Police Department at 46-800 Jackson Street in Indio.
