Veteran Fresno County sheriff’s dog Sony dies unexpectedly

A longtime dog with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office died unexpectedly Tuesday.

Sony, a 9-year-old K-9 officer, started showing signs of illness Tuesday morning, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The German shepherd was taken to Sierra View Animal Hospital and diagnosed with a previously undetected medical condition.

He was laid to rest about 2 p.m. Tuesday.

(Hear a sheriff’s dispatcher issue a “final call” for Sony.)

Wednesday, the sheriff’s office honored Sony with a midday procession from the animal hospital on Sierra Avenue near Highway 41 in north Fresno to Fresno Pet Cemetery in southwest Fresno.

“The K-9 units are a very tight, tight family, and this hits them hard,” sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.

Sony spent the last eight years partnered with deputy Isaac Cervantes. Botti said Sony specialized in searching buildings and locating missing people. He also visited local schools.

Botti said Sony was a “great friend and partner who will truly be missed within the department and throughout the community.”

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 8:47 AM with the headline "Veteran Fresno County sheriff’s dog Sony dies unexpectedly."