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Handler – Officer Dustin Kaiser
Hilliard police K-9 Jawaak euthanized because of brain tumor
The Hilliard Division of Police has lost one of its K-9 officers. After a little less than three years of service to the community, 5-year-old Jawaak (pronounced Ja-WOK) was euthanized March 20 “due to an aggressive and untreatable brain tumor,” according to police spokeswoman Andrea Litchfield. His handler was officer Dustin Kaiser. “Dustin and Jawaak had a special bond like most K-9s and their handlers have,” Litchfield said. “We are supporting Dustin and his family through this difficult time.” Police Chief Robert Fisher said Jawaak “served the Hilliard community with honor and courage as a valuable member of our HPD family.” “K9 Jawaak and his handler, officer Kaiser, had a special bond,” Fisher said. “Officer Kaiser often described K9 Jawaak as an ‘intense’ worker, and we’re grateful for his work protecting and serving the residents of Hilliard. We ask for the public to join us in supporting officer Kaiser during this difficult time.” Kaiser will remain a K-9 handler, but it is not certain when the division will move toward acquiring and training a new police dog, Litchfield said. Jawaak’s condition was expected to worsen, and he had no possibility of a recovery, Litchfield said. Jawaak, a Belgian Malinois, hit the streets with Kaiser in December 2017 as the division’s third K-9 unit.
