MAINE, USA — The attached video originally aired July 30, 2023, and shows K-9 Gordon successfully finding a missing 15-year-old camper.
An award-winning retired K-9 from Maine has passed away at the age of 13. K-9 Sig served with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for nine years. The announcement of the K-9's death was shared by the department on social media Wednesday evening.
"We are saddened to share with you that retired Maine Warden Service K9 Sig passed away at the age of 13 last weekend in the comfort of his home and family," the department said in a Facebook post.
MDIFW stated that K-9 Sig worked alongside his partner and handler Warden Alan Curtis in the Down East region from 2013 until 2022.
"During his time he was credited with 24 human search and rescue finds in addition to countless evidence finds for investigators. Certified in human remains detection, K9 Sig and Warden Curtis also assisted with numerous homicide and missing person cases," MDIFW stated.
K-9 Sig earned several awards during his service. MDIFW said Warden Curtis and his four-legged partner were awarded the Maine Warden Service K-9 Search and Rescue Case of the Year and an International Police Working Dog merit award for finding a missing 3-year-old child.
"K9 Sig had a full life in both his career and retirement, touching many lives as he served the people and wildlife of Maine," MDIFW concluded.