PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island canine whose inspiring tale of going from refuge canine to lifesaving police Ok-9 become the topic of a up to date Netflix film has been euthanized.
State Police stated Sunday Ok-9 Ruby used to be put down Friday following a “unexpected, acute, and untreatable sickness.” She used to be 11 years previous.
Col. Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the state police, expressed gratitude for Ok-9 Ruby’s years of provider.
“Ok-9 Ruby devoted her lifestyles to serve the electorate of Rhode Island and make a good have an effect on on each individual she ever interacted with,” he stated in a remark. “She become an emblem of hope for all refuge canine, appearing the arena what a refuge canine can do when simply given love and the risk to polish.”
Ruby served with the Rhode Island State Police for 11 years and used to be treated via Corporal Daniel O’Neil, Weaver stated.
Phase Australian shepherd and section border collie, Ruby used to be some of the first refuge canine skilled to serve with the Rhode Island State Police. She participated in a lot of search-and-rescue missions and made many public appearances right through her occupation.
Ruby received notoriety in 2017 when she situated a teenage boy who used to be critically injured whilst mountaineering within the woods. The boy became out to be the son of the animal refuge volunteer who had fought to stay her from being put down.
“She used to be a complete knucklehead,” refuge volunteer and canine teacher Patricia Inman had advised The Related Press of Ruby, who have been returned via 5 households for being too rambunctious earlier than O’Neil followed the then-eight-month-old in 2011.
Ruby earned nationwide popularity for the rescue — the American Humane Hero Canine group named her the country’s “Seek and Rescue Canine of the Yr” — and her tale used to be made into the 2022 Netflix film “Rescued via Ruby.”
“She had a complete, satisfied, and beautiful lifestyles, now not most effective as a trooper, however as a part of a loving circle of relatives,” Weaver stated. “She labored proper till the tip and not gave up doing what she liked maximum — making other people smile.”
Ruby lived with O’Neil and his circle of relatives and can be venerated privately, police stated.
“She used to be given an opportunity and he or she’s been doing the whole lot she will be able to to pay it again,” O’Neil stated previous this 12 months. “You might have this canine that used to be given up on, and he or she’s modified such a lot of other people’s lives.”
Regardless of her lauded search-and-rescue occupation, Ruby’s mischievous spirit used to be irrepressible: 3 years in the past, she bolted close to a state park, turning up protected and sound after a 19-hour seek. Extra just lately, she returned from a rest room wreck with a reside skunk writhing — and spraying — in her jaws.
The antics have been a part of what made Ruby, smartly, Ruby. Above all, she used to be a just right canine.
“If you happen to display them love and compassion and also you give them a undeniable form of balance, they’ll display their true colours,” O’Neil had stated.