Former Duluth police dog 'Timber' dies

DULUTH -- A retired police dog in the Duluth Police Department has been euthanized because of abdominal bleeding as a result of spleen cancer.

The Duluth News Tribune reports the German shepherd, Timber, would have been 9 years old this week. He worked in the Police Department about 18 months before retiring due to failing eyesight.

However, Duluth police Officer Michelle Rafferty says she took care of the animal into the community, particularly to meet with kids who disabilities or serious illnesses.

When the newspaper wrote a story about Timber needing eye surgery a few years ago, Duluth police were hoping to raise $3,000 in donations. Instead, the public donated almost $25,000 to the fund.

Rafferty has written a book about Timber. The theme is overcoming adversity.