LITTLE EGG HARBOR – The Little Egg Harbor Police Department is mourning the loss of its beloved and popular K-9 Tag. The 11-year-old Belgian Malinois died in the arms of his K-9 handler, LEH Police Officer Tonya Anderson, early Feb. 7.
Tag retired from the department in July 2017, but still made a few public appearances. He fell ill 10 days ago and was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer common in dogs his age and breed. He was revived that day and six days later at the veterinarian’s office in Red Bank. After collapsing again Feb. 7, he ultimately succumbed to the illness.
“I cooked his meals [three] times a day and he enjoyed lounging around on the couch snuggling with me and playing with his favorite ball,” Anderson wrote on social media. “…He was truly an amazing partner and will never be forgotten.”
A police motorcade escorted Tag’s remains to Forever Remembered Pet Cremation in Jackson later that day. LEH Police thanked the crematory as well as Tuckerton Boro Police, New Jersey State Police (Tuckerton Barracks,) Stafford, Barnegat, Plumsted and Jackson police departments.
Tag was born Oct. 18, 2006 in Germany and brought over to the U.S. in November 2007. He was dual-certified as a patrol and narcotic-detection K-9. Anderson said her partner tracked burglars, located missing and stolen items, found lost persons and was involved with numerous drug arrests.
