Scottsdale police dog dies after nearly a decade of service

PHOENIX — A crisis response canine who served with the Scottsdale Police Department died after nearly 10 years on the force, the department announced Thursday.

Fozzie, the department’s Police Crisis Response Canine, was the nation’s first full-time crisis response canine and was a pioneer for public safety agencies, according to the department.

The pup responded to incidents such as homicides, suicides and fatal crashes during his career and helped comfort people on some of their worst days.

He served along officers, detectives, dispatchers, crisis specialists and fellow city employees.

According to the department, Fozzie brought “peace, a sense of calmness, and was a bridge to communication for people who were experiencing trauma.”

“Fozzie and his heart were larger than life and nothing made him prouder than when he got to wear his badge and SPD cape,” the department said.

But Fozzie did not serve only as crisis response, he also served as a goodwill ambassador, visiting schools, meeting kids and helping school resource and prevention officers deliver safety messages to students.

At the start of his career, Fozzie studied to be a service dog after he was donated to the department from the Michigan-based Paws With A Cause.

“Fozzie left a mark on all those he met.  Fozzie loved snacks and napping and was a world class swimmer, specializing in doggy paddling.  While he will be deeply missed, in the spirit of his boundless positivity, we hope happy memories offer comfort and peace to all who mourn this profound loss,” the department said.

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