RCSD K9 Deputy Tosca Dies

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WOLO)-  A Richland County K-9 Deputy died Saturday morning after suffering an apparent seizure.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the untimely passing of K-9 Deputy Tosca.

Friday evening Tosca’s handler, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy Emily Lemmond, found Tosca having what appeared to be a seizure.  Deputy Lemmond rushed Tosca to the Department’s vet, where  life-saving measures were taken. Eventually it was determined Tosca could not be saved.

Lott said taken off of a ventilator at a local veterinarian hospital, following an illness that is unknown at this time.

Deputies describe Tosca  as a Belgian Malinois and full service patrol dog of approximately two years of age. Tosca  had  completed  extensive training in drug detection, area tracking, suspect apprehension etc.

The Sheriff says that over the course of training a K-9 Deputy and his or her handler become as one, he is requesting that the community keep Deputy Lemmond and RCSD in its thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

A necropsy is being scheduled and will hopefully determine the cause of Tosca’s death