Ridge Meadows Mounties are mulling a memorial service for Bear, a two-year-old police dog who died last week while pursing a man suspected of breaking into a home.
Bear was the second RCMP police dog killed in the line of duty in as many days.
Police dog Bo was killed in Richmond 26 hours earlier after he and his handler were involved in a collision with a power pole.
RCMP Insp. Dave Fluegel said there’s been an incredible outpouring of support from residents of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Metro Vancouver.
The local detachment has received multiple flower arrangements, letters and cards of sympathy to help comfort Bear’s handler and his family.
Bear and his handler responded to a call about a home invasion in progress at 22043 Lougheed Highway around 11:40 p.m. July 12.
Three men forced their way inside the residence, but fled when Mounties arrived.
Bear and his handler were tracking one of the men along Lougheed Highway when the dog was struck and killed by a car travelling west.
Another officer continued to chase the suspect on foot, apprehending the 17-year-old short time later.
Bear was born in March 2009 and was on active duty since completing his training in 2010.
Ridge Meadows is now considering a memorial service for the pure-bred, all-black German Shepherd, to be held in the next few months.
“Although I am relatively new to the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment, it is clear to me that we have amazing people here that care a great deal about our community, the RCMP and public safety,” said Fleugel. “Although Bear will be greatly missed, we take comfort in the fact that we have the structure in place to continue to deliver a high level of service.”