CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno County Sheriff’s Office officials say they are grieving the loss of one of their own while expressing frustration over what they describe as a preventable tragedy tied to illegal fireworks.<\/p>\n
K-9 Santi, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois assigned to the sheriff’s office, was killed over the Fourth of July weekend after becoming frightened by an illegal firework and running into traffic near Shaw and Helm avenues in Clovis.<\/p>\n
The sheriff’s office released video from April showing Santi, who served as a patrol dog specializing in suspect apprehension and searches. Officials said the off-duty deputy who handled Santi was aware of the dog’s fear of fireworks and had been keeping him indoors during the holiday.<\/p>\n
According to sheriff’s office spokesperson Tony Botti, the deputy briefly let Santi into the backyard to use the restroom when an aerial mortar firework was launched nearby.<\/p>\n
“That triggered something in the dog, spooked him. He took off running, hopped the fence, and he was gone,” Botti said.<\/p>\n
Santi was later struck by a vehicle.<\/p>\n
“To lose a partner like that, somebody you spend so much time with, you put a lot of work into developing that relationship, and for them to be gone in an instant is very tough,” Botti said.<\/p>\n
While highly trained, Santi was not regularly exposed to the types of explosions common during Fourth of July celebrations, officials said.<\/p>\n
“Even a canine that’s highly trained, their exposure levels are completely different. Some go on SWAT training all the time, so they’re used to flash bangs and gunfire, things like that. Others not so much,” Botti said.<\/p>\n
Clovis police are investigating the collision and are searching for the driver involved. Authorities said the person could face a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge. Investigators are also looking for surveillance footage from the area that could help identify the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Officials noted that no illegal-fireworks citations were issued by Clovis police over the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n
The sheriff’s office said Santi’s death underscores the dangers associated with illegal fireworks and the impact they can have on both people and animals.<\/p>\n
“It’s very frustrating for us, because we try and educate people left and right about the dangers of doing stuff, and people seem to pick and choose the laws that they want to follow,” Botti said.<\/p>\n
Clovis police are asking anyone with information about the crash or possible surveillance video from the area to contact investigators.<\/p>\n
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