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Died – 4/21/16
Handler – Constable Josh Robertson
K9’s Legacy that was shot and killed will live on
Tributes for fallen police dog, Gazza, have flooded in on social media. Hundreds have expressed shock at the incident and their sympathies for the 4-year-old German Shepard’s family. Gazza was fatally shot today during an armed standoff in Porirua. His handler was constable Josh Robertson with whom he lived. The police dog was a star of TVNZ show Dog Squad which follows working dogs and their handlers. Shortly after the news was made public, New Zealand Police confirmed the dog was Gazza and wrote: “Our thoughts are with his handler and his family.” Dog Training Centre national coordinator Inspector Todd Southall said Gazza and Mr Robertson have been a highly effective team in Wellington tracking, searching and catching offenders. “They are also popular visitors to schools, sports grounds and open days.” Gazza and Josh would feature in the upcoming series of Dog Squad, he said. Gazza is the 24th New Zealand Police dog to have been killed on duty and the seventh police dog to have been fatally shot since 1972. “Gazza is a member of the police breeding program and therefore his legacy will live on. “The New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre will be hosting a memorial for Gazza in the near future,” Mr Southall said. The last death was in 2010 when police dog Gage took a bullet for his handler, Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, during a call-out in Christchurch. Gage was posthumously awarded the PDSA Gold Medal – the animal equivalent of the George Cross, or the New Zealand Cross for outstanding bravery and exceptional dedication. Dog Squad NZ said on Facebook: “Awful news today, Wellington Police dog Gazza was shot and killed at a Porirua address this morning. Our thoughts are with his handler Josh and the Delta section’s around the country at this very sad time. RIP Gazza, you were a top dog, and a pleasure to work with!”
