Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Retired Tucumcari police dog Aries died on June 12 at the age of 8. He had a six-year career with the police force.
Aries, a retired Belgian Malinois dog that worked for the Tucumcari Police Department for more than six years, died on June 12 at the age of 8.
Logan Police senior officer Shaun Slate, who previously worked with Aries in Tucumcari and was his owner, announced Aries' death in an email last week.
"You were the best damn four-legged friend I could ever ask for and will forever be in my heart," Slate wrote. "Rest easy, Aries. I love you, buddy!"
Slate said Aries began his service with the Tucumcari police force on Feb. 12, 2015. His drug certifications included the detection of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and MDMA (known as ecstasy). He also held certifications in tracking and searching.
He was retired on June 29, 2021, due to the state legalization of recreational marijuana.
Slate said upon Aries' retirement his police companion "will now enjoy lots of play time, belly rubs and as many ice cream cones his heart desires."
In a phone interview, Slate said Aries assisted in dozens of arrests and hundreds of cases in the detection or seizure of drugs.
Quay County Crime Stoppers purchased Aries for TPD's use.
Slate said the cause of Aries' death remains unknown. He said he fed and interacted with him as usual the morning of June 12, then found him dead in his doghouse that evening. Though he did not have a necropsy done on the animal, Slate said he did not suspect foul play.
Slate said Aries had undergone two surgeries, including the removal of his spleen in the last year when a large but benign mass was found. Removal of the spleen makes dogs more susceptible to infections.
He said he took Aries' body to a pet crematorium in Clovis. He said he would pick up Aries' cremains sometime this week.
