Balu (Ventura County Sheriff's Department)
VENTURA, Calif. -- The Ventura County Sheriff's Department is asking for help with medical expenses after a police dog accidentally ingested a toxic amount of methamphetamine during a recent drug search.
Officials say Balu, a 4 1/2-year-old German shepard, was rushed to an emergency veterinarian clinic just before 3 a.m. Monday after suffering a seizure following a narcotics search in Moorpark.
About two hours earlier, a suspect had tossed two bags of drugs during an arrest. One was quickly recovered, but Balu was sent to search for the second bag, which apparently tore open when it was dumped.
Balu alerted his partner, senior Deputy Dean Worthy, to the area where the torn bag of methamphetamine was found.
The dog apparently got close enough to the spilled meth that Worthy feared the dog might have inhaled the substance. Worthy said at first, Balu seemed fine. But, when they got home, the dog began convulsing.
Worthy quickly rushed the animal to the clinic.
As part of his emergency treatment, Balu was admitted into the ICU of the pet clinic and treated for the overdose.
The dog is currently receiving several treatments a day while he recovers at home, according to the sheriff's department.
He's being closely observed to determine if there are any further complications to the overdose.
It is not known when Balu will be able to return to work, if at all. It's possible he may have to medically retire, officials said.
The sheriff's K9 unit is completely funded by private donations which pay for things like medical bills, training and equipment.
The department says funding has been low this year and they could really use some help with Balu's medical expenses. It was not immediately known how much Balu's treatment has cost the department so far.
If you would like to donate, you can either visit the department's website at: http://vcsdk9.org/events.html.
You can also mail donations to:
Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation - K9 Unit 800 S. Victoria Ave L3320 Ventura, CA 93009 Attn: Balu
Officials say Balu, a 4 1/2-year-old German shepard, was rushed to an emergency veterinarian clinic just before 3 a.m. Monday after suffering a seizure following a narcotics search in Moorpark.
About two hours earlier, a suspect had tossed two bags of drugs during an arrest. One was quickly recovered, but Balu was sent to search for the second bag, which apparently tore open when it was dumped.
Balu alerted his partner, senior Deputy Dean Worthy, to the area where the torn bag of methamphetamine was found.
The dog apparently got close enough to the spilled meth that Worthy feared the dog might have inhaled the substance. Worthy said at first, Balu seemed fine. But, when they got home, the dog began convulsing.
Worthy quickly rushed the animal to the clinic.
As part of his emergency treatment, Balu was admitted into the ICU of the pet clinic and treated for the overdose.
The dog is currently receiving several treatments a day while he recovers at home, according to the sheriff's department.
He's being closely observed to determine if there are any further complications to the overdose.
It is not known when Balu will be able to return to work, if at all. It's possible he may have to medically retire, officials said.
The sheriff's K9 unit is completely funded by private donations which pay for things like medical bills, training and equipment.
The department says funding has been low this year and they could really use some help with Balu's medical expenses. It was not immediately known how much Balu's treatment has cost the department so far.
If you would like to donate, you can either visit the department's website at: http://vcsdk9.org/events.html.
You can also mail donations to:
Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation - K9 Unit 800 S. Victoria Ave L3320 Ventura, CA 93009 Attn: Balu
