Arlington Police K-9 Dasty Passes Away

ARLINGTON, MA — He was tough on the job and worked with former President Barack Obama; in 2015 he helped track down the gun from a shooting near Thorndike Park and he was as fan of children at fairs and school events. But on Sunday, a veteran of the Arlington Police Department passed away after a brief battle with cancer, the department announced.

The 12-year-old German Shepherd named Dasty came to the United States from the Czech Republic and had been with the Arlington Police Department for his entire working life, according to police. (Keep up to date on all things Arlington, sign up for the Arlington Patch Newsletter)

"It’s unfortunately, a sad day," said Arlington Police Spokesperson Captain Richard Flynn.

Almost any child who went through the Arlington Public School System for the past decade would have met or seen Dasty, as he spent regular time there with students and conducting demonstrations every year at Town Day and the Health, Recreation and Cops Summer Camp. Dasty even made appearances on TV’s Animal Planet.

“Dasty was more than just a K-9, he was my partner, and he was a terrific one at that,” said Officer Mike Hogan who was paired with Dasty. “Together, we tackled numerous cases, but more importantly, we interacted with the community and developed relationships with residents that will be remembered for many, many years to come.”

Throughout his career, Dasty responded to more than 600 calls for service, assisted in more than 40 felony arrests and was involved in 117 narcotic and evidence seizures including more than $100,000 in cash, as well as large seizures of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and several firearms, according to a press release.

In 2015, Dasty was the member of the Arlington Police department who found the gun used in a shooting near Thorndike Field. He caught a robbery suspect in East Arlington in 2011, and tracked a burglary suspect from Beverly Road all the way to Mystic Valley Parkway near River Street in 2007, before catching him.

“Dasty was just as comfortable rolling over for middle school students as he was chasing down a suspect or locating an illegal firearm at a crime scene,” Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. “He was everything we expect out of a police officer, and he will be greatly missed not only by the Arlington Police Department but also by the community as a whole.”

Dasty the K-9 didn't just help Arlington Police officers. He assisted the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in the seizure of two kilograms of heroin, and, in 2016, Dasty was responsible for the seizure of $48,000 in drug money.

In 2013, Dasty was assigned to the Presidential Security Detail in Boston during President Barack Obama’s visit after the Boston Marathon Bombings. He also assisted with the search for the bombing suspects in Watertown. Also in 2013, he worked security during the Red Sox World Series victory and parade, according to a press release.

Flynn said Dasty's handler, Hogan was especially upset following the passing of his partner.

" He’s been with that partner since he came on 10 years ago. It’s hard. There’s a separation there, he’s not a family dog, he’s an asset, he’s really a member of the department. But in a way, he spent as much time with that animal as he did with his own family," said Flynn.

As for the department, they did happen to plan ahead and as Dasty was coming to the end of his career, they put into place another K-9, who was supposed to work alongside Dasty for some time still.

Stay tuned for news of a special memorial.

See below for the social media posts about it from the Police:

See this old video of Dasty when he was 3.

The department is currently planning a tribute for Dasty and will release details when they are available.

Photos courtesy via John Guilford Media.

Material from a press release via John Guilford Media was used in this article.