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Man quizzed over police dog death Man bailed after police dog death
(about 8 hours later)
A 33-year-old man has been arrested after a police dog was found dead at its handler's home in Northumberland. A man arrested after a police dog was found dead at its handler's home has been bailed following tests showing it was likely to have died naturally.
Buzz, a nine-year-old German shepherd, was discovered on Monday morning at the officer's home in Amble.Buzz, a nine-year-old German shepherd, was discovered on Monday morning at the officer's home in Amble.
The arrested man, from Linton, Morpeth, is suspected of conspiring to cause damage to the animal and of threatening to kill a serving police dog handler. The 33-year-old man, from Morpeth, was quizzed on suspicion of conspiring to harm the animal and of threatening to kill a serving police dog handler.
Northumbria Police said tests were being carried out to establish how the dog died. A Northumbria Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing.
A force spokesman said: "Northumbria Police take very seriously threats made against our own staff in the course of their duties and this remains the priority of the investigation. He said: "A post-mortem examination has been carried out into the death police dog Buzz, who died overnight on Sunday.
"We are carrying out inquiries to find out if the death of Buzz is connected to this investigation. "It has revealed that the German shepherd is likely to have died of natural causes, although test results are still awaited."
"Should the cause of death be proven to be suspicious, this is a horrible incident which has led to the death of a dog who had given years of loyal service to the public and Northumbria Police.
"He had also formed a strong and lasting bond with his handler and his handler's family.
"Police dogs live at home with their handlers and they become part of the family."