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Albuquerque Police Say Retiring K-9 Won't Be Euthanized

Albuquerque police say a retiring K-9 that had faced the possibility of being put to sleep has escaped euthanization after the department received an outpouring of requests from former police dog handlers and animal shelters to take him.

Police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza says the department intends to turn over the K-9 named Rex to a sanctuary in California that specializes in caring for retired military dogs. She says Rex was trained as a military dog before becoming a part of the Albuquerque police's K-9 unit in 2013.

Police announced Rex's retirement Monday along with that of his handler.

They say Rex is too old at age 9 to be trained to work with another officer.

Police service dogs' specialized training means they often cannot transition to becoming a family pet.

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