Partner/Handler: Officer William Proulx East Hartford Police Dept. 497 Tolland St. East Hartford, CN. 06108 860-528-4401
AWARDS: 1994 Officer William Proulx & K-9 Bruno won Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award-Outstanding Achievements - K-9 Policing 1995 Officer William Proulx & K-9 Bruno won 2nd place award 1996 Officer William Proulx & K-9 Bruno won 1st place award 1997 Officer William Proulx & K-9 Bruno won 1st place award 1999 Officer William Proulx & K-9 Bruno won 1st place award *****************************
Four-time police Canine Olympics winner euthanized By Associated Press, 8/21/2001 17:46 - East Hartford, CN(AP) Bruno, an East Hartford police department German shepherd who assisted in more than 1,100 arrests and won the state police Canine Olympics four times, was euthanized Monday. Bruno ''went downhill really fast since retiring 10 months ago, Officer William Proulx said. Crippled by arthritis and Lyme disease, the 10-year-old dog had become progressively weaker, despite doses of steroids. By last week, Proulx said, Bruno could no longer stand without assistance. Bruno and Proulx graduated together from the state police canine training academy in May 1994, the top team of that year's class. When it came to work, Proulx said, Bruno was ''all business.'' But the dog who licked thousands of hands and faces at schools, senior centers, Scout and 4-H camps, ''had both sides,'' Proulx said. ''He was such a friendly dog, he loved to be petted,'' Proulx said. Proulx said the dog saved his life several times, once spotting a man in the bushes who was aiming a gun at the officer.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
despite doses of steroids-
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
Ah yea...I was just wondering about that. My vet wanted to give my dog steroids, and I inquired about that. The answer was, "Well, it works really well in dogs"...hmmmm....I'm hesitant; I should mention one dose of doxy and I could see improvement in the limping. Incredible.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by CaliforniaLyme: despite doses of steroids-
My thought exactly. How sad.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
gasolene on fire
Posted by sizzled (Member # 1357) on :
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I am a true animal lover.
I think any death caused by Lyme disease or it's mis-treatment is a crime.
What a beautiful animal.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
photo taken by James A. Cortina
State Champion town police dog Bruno put to sleep By: Linda Medura, Gazette correspondent August 23, 2001
The town's most celebrated police dog, Bruno, afflicted with crippling spinal arthritis, had been ailing for some time. On Monday morning Officer Bill Proulx drove to a veterinary hospital in town where arrangements had been made for Bruno to be put to sleep. But before stopping at the vets Officer Proulx, accompanied by his children Ryan, 10, and Nicole, 7, took his retired K-9 partner around East Hartford in his police cruiser for one last patrol. In the past two weeks his condition had deteriorated to where he could not stand without assistance and Proulx, after much soul searching, decided it was time to end his partner's suffering.The dog was 9 1/2 years old. "You reach a point when you realize they are staying alive because of you and that's when you have to do the right thing - not for you, but for them," he said in a voice breaking with emotion. In the world of K-9's there are the good and the very good. Bruno was incredibly very, very, very good! A 4 time, First Place winner in the CT. K-9 Olympics, he has had two books written about him: Dogs With Jobs and Everyday Heroes and was recently featured in the June 2000 issue of Readers Digest. In January on CPTV, he starred in the television series Dogs With Jobs which has been seen by audiences around the world.On the job his record of service was equally impressive. Despite being shot at, battered, punched and injured in the 6 years he was on the force, Bruno, at the time of his retirement, has been credited with 1100 arrests, half of which were felonies, the recovery of 9 lost children and 3 Alzheimer's patients and numerous demonstrations. With his aggressive bark and sharp bite that targeted legs and buttocks, he was a criminal's worst nightmare. In fact, many in that particular line of work felt you were no one unless you'd been bitten at least once by Bruno. In 1995 - the only year he placed 2nd in the K-9 Olympics - he was the only police dog selected by a panel of judges from the Connecticut Chief of Police Association to receive the Daniel Wasson award for disarming a gunman at a local motel and saving Proulx's life. A member of the 56 K-9 Training Troop, he graduated first in his class from the Connecticut State Police Academy in May, 1994. Friendly and spirited off the job, he possessed a dignity and presence that seemed to embody all that was best in his kind. He enjoyed his work, put his whole being into it, and in the process brought recognition and fame not only to the EHPD and Proulx, but to our community. Because he was one of the few K-9's whose career was regularly documented by The East Hartford Gazette, residents - especially children and seniors - were treated to a personal, inside look at what life on the streets is like for policemen and their K-9 partners. And they responded accordingly with adoration, lots of affectionate pets and friendly greetings and, at holidays, gifts of homemade cookies. But Bruno won the hearts and earned respect of any in and outside of East Hartford, not because of headlines but because he definitely was that rare and genuine bright and shining star. He will be missed by many. Donations honoring Bruno can be sent to the East Hartford Police Department, 497 Tolland Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 Attention Police Canine Retirement Fund. Monies will be used to help cover veterinary costs for retired canines.
Posted by k-lyme (Member # 5574) on :
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