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Died – 10/27/23
Handler – Officer Chris Rodriguez
2 robbery suspects arrested after Pima police K-9 killed in stabbing
On October 27th, around 8:00 p.m. in the Rincon District, deputies from PCSD were searching for a suspect connected to an armed robbery. K9 Kenzo was sent into a fenced commercial yard to locate the suspect.After K9 Kenzo became unresponsive and stopped responding to commands deputies entered to search the area and found the dog unresponsive in the yard with stab wounds. The suspect was found and taken into custody. K9 Kenzo was found near the suspect, Kenzo was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.Further investigation of the incident led to the arrest of two suspects. 32-year-old Juan Tachowas arrested for armed robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Slade Bartlett, 35, was arrested for armed robbery, aggravated robbery and killing/harming a work/service animal. Authorities said Kenzo has injuries consistent with a stabbing and a necropsy is scheduled to be performed.“We are saddened by the loss of K9 Kenzo and reminded of the dangers our deputies face along with their k9 partners who serve right beside them,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said in a media release. Officer Chris Rodriguez and K9 Kenzo just competed in the Desert Dog competition on October 22 and came in 3rd for handler protection.
