Ross mourns death of K9 Jimy following emergency surgery to remove spleen

Tony LaRussa
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 7:19 a.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 7:19 a.m.

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Courtesy of Ross Township Police Department

Ross police announced that Jimy, a member of its K9 unit for the past three years, died Sept. 9 following emergency surgery.

Ross police say a member of its K9 unit died unexpectedly following emergency surgery on Sept. 9.

“Jimy was a great and valuable member of this department and will be sadly missed,” police officials said in an announcement posted on social media. “Please keep Officer (Justin) Allenbaugh and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Following a private memorial ceremony Jimy was taken on his “final patrol” through Ross at approximately 11:15 a.m. , according to the police department.

The procession will follow a route north on Babcock Boulevard, Three Degree Road, Perry Highway and then south along Cemetery Lane.

An ultrasound performed by a veterinarian after Jimy began experiencing stomach problems indicated that he had an enlarged spleen, according to Ross Det. Brian Kohlhepp.

A second ultrasound performed at Animal Friends in Ohio Township showed that Jimy needed surgery to remove his spleen, which was twisted, the detective said.

But before the dog’s handler could pick him up, Jimy went into medical distress and was rushed back into surgery where doctors determined that he was experiencing internal bleeding.

Jimy died before a surgeon could locate the source of the bleeding, Kohlhepp said.

Ross has two other dogs in its K9 unit — Cezar and Neeko.

As of Sept. 10, more than 150 people left messages of condolence on social media for Jimy, a German shepherd from Slovenia who joined the police department in 2017 when he was 13 months old.

Jimy was teamed with Allenbaugh, a U.S. Army veteran, and hit the streets after completing a 10-week basic training program.

Last year, Jimy received a bullet and stab protective vest from a nonprofit organization that works to provide safety gear for law enforcement dogs.

The new vest was supplied by Vested Interest in K9s Inc., which obtained the body armor through sponsorship from Pink Biscuit K9s of Santa Paula, Calif.

East Taunton, Mass.,-based Vested Interest in K9s seeks sponsorship and donations to help outfit law enforcement dogs with potentially lifesaving body armor as well as healthcare policies and medical and first aid kits.