It is with extremely heavy hearts that the Queensland Police Service can confirm the death of a serving police dog in Harristown earlier this morning.
Shortly before 1.30am, Police Dog (PD) Kaleb and his handler were responding to a break and enter in Anzac Avenue at Harristown.
PD Kaleb was conducting a track through residential streets and a school when they located a man believed to be involved in the break in.
As PD Kaleb ended the track around 2.45am he stumbled and lay down while returning to the Dog Squad vehicle.
His handler immediately rendered first aid, however PD Kaleb collapsed into unconsciousness.
He was rushed to a nearby vet, but sadly could not be saved.
Kaleb's handler, Sergeant Constable Trevor O'Neill, is a very experienced officer and is absolutely devastated by the loss of his dog, partner and mate.
PD Kaleb was born on the 19th of October 2012 as part of a QPS litter. In his 5 years he has been with the service, he has been part of countless successful tracks and apprehensions.
All QPS dogs live at home with their handlers and are part of their family and the bond between handlers and their dogs makes them inseparable.
The QPS takes the safety and wellbeing of all police dogs very seriously and treats them as valued members of the police family.
When a police dog passes away as a result of an incident on duty or in training, the State Capability Coordinator (Dog Squad) conducts a review into the circumstances of the incident.
Below is a poem that sums up Trev and PD Kaleb's commitment to making their community a safer place for everyone to live.
Vale RD Kaleb, with honour you served, and it was our honour to serve with you.
Guardians of the Night
Trust in me my friend for I am
your comrade. I will protect you
with my last breath When all
others have left you And the
loneliness of the night closes
in, I will be at your side.
Together we will conquer all
obstacles, And search out
those who might wish harm to
others. All I ask of you is
compassion, The caring touch
of your hands. It is for you that I
will unselfishly give my life And
spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
May be marked by the passing
of the seasons Know that each
day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by The
coming and going of your
footsteps. I anticipate them at
every opening of the door. You
are the voice of caring when I
am ill. The voice of authority
when I've done wrong.
Do not chastise me unduly For
I am your right arm, The sword
at your side. I attempt to do
only what you bid of me. I seek
only to please you and remain
in your favor.
Together you and I shall
experience A bond only others
like us will understand When
outsiders see us together Their
envy will be measured by their
disdain.
I will quietly listen to you And
pass no judgment, Nor will your
spoken words be repeated I will
remain ever silent, Ever vigilant,
ever loyal. And when our time
together is done And you move
on in the world Remember me
with kind thoughts and tales,
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us
undetected.
If we should meet again on
another street I will gladly take
up your fight, I am a Police
Working Dog and together We
are guardians of the night.
