Trigg County Sheriff Aaron Acree announced Wednesday evening that their proud agency K-9, Rex, died earlier this week.
Acree noted that on July 5, Deputy Louis Armstrong was on patrol and stopped to let Rex stretch his legs. Rex, Acree said, loved to fetch his favorite ball on his down time, and it was part of department routine.
Once finished, Acree said that Rex was loaded back into his patrol vehicle, only for Armstrong to notice he was was panting longer than usual and breathing heavily.
Acree said Armstong recognized signs of abnormal behavior and rushed him to the animal emergency room, Clarksville Emergency Vet and Specialty Hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Upon arrival, CPR was administered and did not survive.
Acree said Rex was then taken to Breathitt Veterinary Center for further examination.
As of Monday, July 7, Acree said he spoke with medical examiners who were able to provide additional information. Rex, according to Acree, had preexisting medical conditions that were not recognized, or were possibly a lack of attention by the previous handler.
Acree said these conditions were possibly induced when Rex was playing fetch, and the medical examiner further conveyed that Armstrong did everything in his power to save Rex prior to getting him medical attention.
Armstrong had been Rex’s handler as of January, following the dismissal of his former handler.
This is a developing story.
