A Rhode Island canine was euthanized after his remarkable narrative of transitioning from shelter dog to lifesaving police K-9 was made into a Netflix film.
K-9 Ruby was put down Friday after a “sudden, severe, and untreatable illness,” according to State Police. She was 11 at the time.
The state police superintendent, Col. Darnell Weaver, expressed thanks for K-9 Ruby’s years of service.
“K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to serving the people of Rhode Island and having a great impact on everyone she met “In a statement, he stated. “She became a symbol of hope for all shelter dogs, demonstrating what a shelter dog can do when given love and the opportunity to shine.”
Weaver claimed Ruby worked for the Rhode Island State Police for 11 years and was assigned to Corporal Daniel O’Neil.
Ruby was one of the first shelter dogs trained to work with the Rhode Island State Police. She was part Australian shepherd and part border collie. Throughout her career, she took part in countless search-and-rescue missions and made numerous public appearances.
Ruby rose to prominence in 2017 after she tracked out a teenage guy who had suffered serious injuries while hiking in the woods. The young man turned out to be the son of the animal shelter volunteer who had tried to save her life.
Ruby had been returned by five families for being too rowdy when O’Neil adopted the then-eight-month-old in 2011. “She was a genuine knucklehead,” shelter worker and canine trainer Patricia Inman told The Associated Press about Ruby.
Ruby received national notoriety for the rescue when she was selected “Search and Rescue Dog of the Year” by the American Humane Hero Dog Society, and her story was adapted into the Netflix film “Rescued by Ruby” in 2022.
Weaver stated, “She had a full, happy, and amazing life, not only as a trooper but as a member of a loving family.” “She worked tirelessly till the very end, never abandoning her passion for making people happy.”
According to investigators, Ruby resided with O’Neil and his family and will be remembered privately.
“She was given a chance,” O’Neil said earlier this year, “and she’s been doing everything she can to repay it.” “You have this abandoned puppy who has transformed the lives of so many people.”
Ruby’s cheeky nature was uncontrollable, despite her celebrated search-and-rescue career: three years ago, she ran near a state park, only to be found safe and sound after a 19-hour search. She recently returned from a restroom break with a live skunk writhing in her jaws, spraying.
Ruby’s shenanigans were part of what made her Ruby. She was, above all, a good dog.
“They’ll expose their true colors if you offer them love and care and give them a sense of security,” O’Neil had stated.