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Died – 7/10/20
Handler – Officer Matt Leatherman
We are sorry to share with you the passing of one of our beloved K9 partners just 8 weeks after he was diagnosed with hemangiosar coma. Iggy passed peacefully with his favorite human of all time, his partner Retired Officer Matt Leatherman. K9 Iggy was born 5/17/2009 in Loomis, CA to Fera vom Fuchsgraben. His sire was Bruno vom Midlicher Land. Iggy was purchased in 2011 by Foothills K9 Association for the City of Roseville Police Dept (CA) and partnered with Officer Leatherman. The pair had an immediate bond which deepened when Iggy was stricken the first week with a dangerous case of parvovirus. Iggy was in a fight for his life. Every day Officer Leatherman would tell us (and himself) “it will all be okay.” Sure enough, the day came when Iggy was well enough to go home and what a joyful reunion! Soon Matt & Iggy went to patrol school where they gained the skills needed to become an excellent crime fighting duo. Coworkers describe Iggy as having “the perfect mix of aggression for the job and a stable, friendly behavior with the general public & other animals.” K9 Sgt Scott Miszkewycz says Iggy had a great career. Iggy’s friendly and stable manners made him the perfect dog to volunteer for PR and he did countless school visits, Special Olympics, Cover Your K-9, and even made the cover of Sacramento Magazine. K9 Trainer John Riboni recalls Iggy as a favorite of everyone who met him. “I would just say that if anyone met Iggy they would never know that he was a serious police dog. He loved everybody and everything until he was deployed to find a bad guy.” Iggy was a character at trainings and would go from person to person checking for toys. Riboni continued, “You never wanted to walk by Iggy if you had a ball or toy in your pocket. He would all but undress you to take it then he would shove it in your chest and challenge you to tug with him. Iggy was everyone’s friend… except for criminals. I loved that dog. He was special.” We all agree.K9 Iggy & Officer Leatherman retired together in November 2018. Iggy has loved every minute of his life as he greets it as a great adventure. After his surgery in May we knew the disease would eventually take him. He had many “bucket list” wishes fulfilled. Knowing the end is coming doesn’t necessarily make this day easier for us who are left behind as Iggy goes on to the Rainbow Bridge, but we are very grateful for the extra days we were given to cherish our very special K9 Iggy who will forever be in our hearts.
