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Fire department says goodbye to veteran K-9 unit member

Timmy, 11, was a founding member of Pattenburg Volunteer Fire Company’s K-9 unit and served since 2009

By FireRescue1 Staff

UNION TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A fire department said goodbye to an eight-year veteran of their K-9 unit.

NJ.com reported that search-and-rescue dog Timmy, 11, was diagnosed with throat cancer and was put down Sunday, according to Pattenburg Volunteer Fire Company.

The German shepherd was a founding member of the department’s K-9 unit and served since 2009. Timmy’s handler and best friend, Fire Chief Dan VanFossen, said he loved cheese, his favorite song was “In Case You Didn’t Know” and his favorite stuffed animal was Moses the Moose.

https://www.facebook.com/PattenburgVolunteerFireCompany/posts/630795677123078

Timmy helped the fire department with search and rescue missions around the state, including finding missing Alzheimer’s patients. In 2015, Timmy also became a viral sensation when he helped find a pet tortoise named Sully who had wandered off.

A procession of emergency vehicles was held for Timmy, followed by a full firefighter’s ceremony.

https://www.facebook.com/PattenburgVolunteerFireCompany/posts/631643953704917

https://www.facebook.com/PattenburgVolunteerFireCompany/posts/631267637075882

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