LORIS' POLICE DRUG DOG FOUND DEAD

Autopsy Results Pending On 4-Year-Old Labrador

LORIS - Loris Police Department lost one of what its most effective weapons
for fighting drugs this week: its police dog, Chief Herbert Blake said.

Dixie, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever who worked with the department for
nearly two years, was found dead Saturday in her handler's yard.

Police are not sure how the dog died.

Blake said an autopsy has been performed and results could be returned next
week. He said there was no sign of external trauma.

"If she was poisoned, we must decide whether it is something we can
pursue," Blake said.

Meanwhile, Loris police are considering options for replacing Dixie.

Blake said Dixie worked mostly with Loris officers, but she also helped
Horry County and Tabor City, N.C., police as needed.

The dog, who was donated to the Loris Police Department, helped make nearly
100 arrests within about 20 months, Blake said.

She was last seen alive about 10 p.m. March 3 and appeared healthy and
playful, Blake said. Her handler, Officer Jeff Gore, found her body
Saturday morning, Blake said.

"He went to get her for some exercises at the gun range and she was dead,"
Blake said.

"This is a loss as far as our ability to combat the drug trade is
concerned," Blake said. "Dogs find drugs in cars and other places much
better than officers do."

Blake said the Loris Police Department will get another dog, but he said he
couldn't be sure when or from where it would come.

Several people have offered to donate dogs, he said.