Arlington Says Goodbye to K-9 Dasty

ARLINGTON—Arlington Police are hosted a memorial service for K-9 Dasty, with other K-9 units from across Massachusetts coming to commemorate him.

Dasty died on Sunday after a brief battle with cancer. A 12-year-old German Shepherd, Dasty was paired with Patrol Officer Michael Hogan and has been with the Arlington Police Department since puphood.

“Dasty was just as comfortable rolling over for middle school students as he was chasing down a suspect or locating an illegal firearm at a crime scene,” Chief Ryan said. “He was everything we expect out of a police officer, and he will be greatly missed not only by the Arlington Police Department but also by the community as a whole.”

Virtually every child in Arlington knew Dasty, as he spent the last decade in Arlington Schools, interacting with students and conducting demonstrations every year at Town Day and the Health, Recreation and Cops (HRC) Summer Camp.

Dasty has assisted the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in the seizure of two kilograms of heroin, and, in 2016 alone, Dasty was responsible for the seizure of $48,000 in drug money. In 2013, Dasty was assigned to the Presidential Security Detail in Boston during President Barack Obama’s visit after the Boston Marathon Bombings. He also assisted with the search for the bombing suspects in Watertown.

Photos courtesy of the Arlington Police Department