Police mourn death of another dog

Yoda sired 65 puppies in his lifetime. Photo / Police Dog Trust

Police are mourning the death of Yoda the dog, but a little bit of him will live on in the dozens of puppies he's fathered.

Yoda's death comes just a month after fellow police dog Gazza was shot dead by Porirua siege gunman Pita Tekira.

A post on the New Zealand Police Dog Trust Facebook page this afternoon said the announcement of Yoda's death was done with "much sadness".

"He was an exceptional operational dog that will be sorely missed at Tauranga dog section," the post says.

"Yoda has also contributed to the breeding programme at the dog training centre, having sired 65 puppies. Yoda's legacy will certainly continue on for many years to come."

The trust says its thoughts were with Yoda's handler and his family.

Yoda was 9 years old and was described as a "wonder dog" when he arrived in Tauranga from Trentham in 2007.