‘Loved every minute’ of retirement

Police dog Dakota. Picture by Jane Dunn

One of the more famous police dogs in the country passed away in Gisborne on Friday, just three weeks into her retirement.

Dakota — who appeared on the Dog Squad TV series — spent her career with the Wellington police dog section, most with her handler Sergeant, now Senior Constable, Stu Rota.

In a Facebook post at the weekend police said the seven-year-old German Shepherd retired in January this year.

Sergeant Rota and Dakota appeared on four Dog Squad TV series, and police said she was also a Police Dog Trust “Calendar Girl”.

Sen Con Rota moved to Gisborne and when the dog retired she came here from Wellington to join him for her retirement.

“It was supposed to be a happy retirement, but sadly that came to an end when Dakota became very unwell. She was taken to the vet but died,” the Facebook post said.

“She had been diagnosed with Addison's disease several years ago but this was managed with medication, and it didn't stop her from leading a very active operational patrol dog life.

“Whether her condition shortened her retirement is not yet clear, but we do know she enjoyed being reunited with her old partner.”

Senior Constable Rota said he was gutted she was gone.

“She loved every minute being at home, her daily walks along the beach, and hanging out with us. We'll all miss her.”

Dakota tracked and made hundreds of catches over the years.

The police Facebook post said she also wowed crowds at the Wings Over Wairarapa when she was winched from a RNZAF NH90 helicopter, and was used to travelling by boat as part of her training in responding to armed incidents.