GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Atlanta Police laid to rest one of their own on Tuesday. K9 Arna served the City of Atlanta from 2006 until 2015. She and her partner Senior Officer RJ Spearl conducted more than 3,000 searches and had nearly 2,000 finds during their time together, according to the department.
The pair won, "1st place “Top Dog” award 5 times at the United States Police Canine Association, Region 22, Narcotics Drug Detector Trials," according to a press release.
Officer Spearl described the moment he knew she was special. They were assisting with a Federal Task Force search for drugs at a home. "As we approached the TV, I noticed a change in Arna’s body language and her tail began to wag which only happened when she detected narcotics odor while in search mode. We detailed the TV with no alerts. "
Arna persisted and stayed in that spot, "I looked over to the corner of the room and noticed the carpet was frayed. I told the investigator that was with me to pull the carpet back to the area where Arna was alerting."
They found a hole in the floor that contained a box with drugs and weapons. Spearl wrote, "From that moment on I knew Arna was a special dog and she proved it to me time and time again over the years we spent together. As time went by our bond and her loyalty to me continued to grow stronger."
K9 Arna's final resting place will be at the Deceased Pet Care's Memorial Pet Gardens in Gwinnett County with a full Honor Guard service. Her services will be held the afternoon of Tuesday November 28.
Deceased Pet Care Funeral Homes is Georgia’s first and only full-service pet funeral home offering pet burial and cremation services.
