Santa Barbara Sheriff’s dog dies from medical emergency

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A beloved Santa Barbara County Sheriff's K9 died Wednesday due to a medical emergency.

O Chop experienced a medical emergency on Wednesday.

He was rushed to emergency surgery but did not survive.

The Sheriff's Office said Chop partnered with Deputy Shane Moore.

Public Information Officer Raquel Zick said, "they have personalities, they work together with their partners, they go home with their partners, they are very much a part of the team. They jelled  they have been working together effectively on patrol"

Chop was two-years-old.

Chop was brought to the Sheriff's Office through funding from the Sheriff's Benevolent Posse's Project Deputy Dog program.

Chop is the second dog purchased for the Sheriff's Office thanks to the generous donation from Reece and Christine Duca of Carpinteria.

The Ducas' named Chop after the nickname of a loyal, close family friend.

In June Chop was brought to Tucker's Grove in Goleta for a "meet and greet" with the public. Several residents and their children attended.

For more information about Project Deputy Dog click here.