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CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) -- A Cedar City police K-9 is dead after being hit by a vehicle days before an anniversary of his handler's wounding.
The Spectrum of St. George reports the Belgian malinois named Gino was euthanized Monday night at Southern Utah Animal Hospital.
Veterinarian Kelly Esplin tells the newspaper the dog's handler and patrol partner, Officer Jason Thomas, brought Gino in with injuries including a broken back, broken leg and chest injuries.
Thomas' sister, Kim Riddle, says family members are devastated by Gino's death -- especially since Wednesday is the fourth anniversary of Thomas' wounding by a man with a shotgun. The convicted shooter is now in Utah State prison.
The Spectrum says Thomas and Gino made school appearances in between numerous drug searches and suspect apprehensions.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
