Today, the Chitimacha Tribal Police are saddened to announce the passing of K-9 “Rex”.
Rex has been under veterinarian care for the past several weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Rex passed away peacefully this morning while under veterinarian care.
Rex was a 6 year old Belgian Malinois that originally trained and served as an explosive detection K-9 in the Netherlands Military. Approximately 3 years ago, he was donated through an anonymous donation that was facilitated by Paul LeBlanc at La K-9 in Maurice, Louisiana.
Rex was certified by La K-9 with his handler Sgt. Nick Picard in the detection of numerous explosives, as well as tracking and article searching. During his career at Chitimacha Police Department, K9 Rex was utilized at many businesses, schools’ and public places for the detection of explosives. Rex was used for special events like events in Lafayette for large conferences at the Cajundome and he and Sgt. Picard were used by the NFL for the past two years at all of the Saints home games. K-9 Rex was utilized in the tracking of elderly and special needs individuals. K-9 Rex was a gentle K-9 whose passive nature was in perfect concert with an unwavering drive that made him very successful at being able to track those who are most vulnerable, the department says.
"We at the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department want to thank the Chitimacha Tribal Council and Tribal Members for their unwavering support of the police department and the department’s K-9 Unit. We would also like to thank Paul LeBlanc at La. K9. He has trained both of our K9’s and we look forward to his continued training with K9 Dozer, our narcotic detection dog," a statement reads. "As with K-9 Dozer, All Creatures Veterinarian Service, as well as Med Vet Veterinarian Services have provides veterinarian care that is second to none. We want to thank them for their compassion care from normal vet care, to the initial diagnoses, to the end of life care that was handled with compassion dignity."
Lastly, Chitimacha Tribal Police would like to thank Agee’s Pet Crematorium in Harvey Louisiana for their assistance with the upcoming memorial. The Chitimacha Police Department will have a memorial for K9 Rex in the near future.
