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K9 Macho euthanized because of aggressive cancer
There were some “not so dry eyes and scratchy throats” Saturday as officers and dogs from several Central Kentucky law enforcement agencies said their final goodbyes to K9 Unit Macho, which was working with the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office.Lt. Daniel Schlernitzauer said Macho was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just a few weeks ago after Macho’s handler, Deputy Carson Gentry, noticed he was more lethargic than normal.Macho, who was five years old, was found to have multiple tumors and the difficult decision was made to put him to sleep, Schlernitzauer said.When Macho and Gentry arrived at PetVet365 in Brannon Crossing on Saturday, they were flanked by saluting law enforcement officers as they entered, according to a video posted to Facebook by the sheriff’s office.There were a few yelps from other dogs present, and a dispatcher could be heard on the radio giving “last call for K9 Unit Macho.”“He was a loyal partner, protector and best friend to his handler,” the dispatcher said in the video. We thank you for your service.”She said Macho had provided “an extraordinary two and a half years of service” to the department, helping to find narcotics and apprehend several suspects.Schlernitzauer said the sheriff’s office wanted to find “a good way to honor everything he had done,” so Schlernitzauer contacted a Lexington Police Department dog handler Friday evening, and they worked together to schedule the broadcast for Macho on Saturday to arrange.He said the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office was there, along with representatives from the Nicholasville Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Paris Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, some of whom brought their police dogs.“I don’t know of a better way to honor a fallen K9 unit,” he said Saturday afternoon.Law enforcement officers are often “not ones to show emotion,” Schlernitzauer said, “but there certainly was some” Saturday.He said the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office employs another K9 unit, Batman, and a deputy was recently sent to select a dog that will be trained to work with the sheriff.
