STREETSBORO, OH - The Streetsboro Police Department (SPD) is mourning the loss of one of its K9 officers after he was struck by a car in the early evening hours on Tuesday, January 7th, on State Route 303.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Lieutenant Rich Polivka said that K9 Officer Jason Hall was with Kaya in a field southwest of the police station, on the south side of State Route 303. Kaya was off his leash, but "quite a distance" from the road, as Hall exercised him by throwing the ball, something they have done often over the years.
Polivka said, "For years, Kaya and Officer Hall have gone back there to do training and to exercise, and that's exactly what they were doing last night." Kaya and Officer Hall were on SPD/city property and well off the roadway in the field. However, this time the situation appeared to be different because Kaya ventured all the way to the road and did not come back to Hall.
Polivka said, "Kaya didn't come back to him and when [Hall] started searching for Kaya, he found that Kaya had been hit by a vehicle traveling eastbound on 303." He said that it might never be known why Kaya chose to venture all the way out to the road this time.
The incident happened at 5:35 p.m. Hall immediately took Kaya to the nearest animal hospital and then to the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital's emergency center in Highland Heights. A short time later, Kaya died from his severe injuries sustained in the accident. He would have turned nine-years-old on Friday, January 10th.
SPD said in a statement, "We are continuing to investigate, but at this time, there is no evidence that the crash was anything other than a heartbreaking and horrific accident. The driver did return to the scene to speak with officers." Polivka said that Kaya's death remains "under review," but it is believed to have been just a "terrible, a terrible accident."
Kaya joined SPD in 2016, going through the K9 training as just a puppy. He earned certificates in narcotics detection, tracking, and vehicle search. Polivka said, "Kaya was very spirited. Was very attentive to his handler, and loved to play. He was a good employee. Was a good worker." Kaya's sudden and tragic death leaves SPD with only one K9, Mika, following the death of K9 Reno after a brief illness about six months ago.
The department has looked into replacing Reno, but it would cost somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 for the dog plus the training. Nothing has yet been decided. Details about any services for Kaya are pending. Polivka said, "That will be up to Officer Hall and his family to the greatest extent as to what they're comfortable with doing because Kaya was a member of their family. They're very heartbroken."
For those asking about donations, they can be sent to the Streetsboro Police Association, C/O K-9 Kaya, 2030 SR 303, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241. The donations received will help fund the K9 program.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Lieutenant Rich Polivka said that K9 Officer Jason Hall was with Kaya in a field southwest of the police station, on the south side of State Route 303. Kaya was off his leash, but "quite a distance" from the road, as Hall exercised him by throwing the ball, something they have done often over the years.
Polivka said, "For years, Kaya and Officer Hall have gone back there to do training and to exercise, and that's exactly what they were doing last night." Kaya and Officer Hall were on SPD/city property and well off the roadway in the field. However, this time the situation appeared to be different because Kaya ventured all the way to the road and did not come back to Hall.
Polivka said, "Kaya didn't come back to him and when [Hall] started searching for Kaya, he found that Kaya had been hit by a vehicle traveling eastbound on 303." He said that it might never be known why Kaya chose to venture all the way out to the road this time.
The incident happened at 5:35 p.m. Hall immediately took Kaya to the nearest animal hospital and then to the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital's emergency center in Highland Heights. A short time later, Kaya died from his severe injuries sustained in the accident. He would have turned nine-years-old on Friday, January 10th.
SPD said in a statement, "We are continuing to investigate, but at this time, there is no evidence that the crash was anything other than a heartbreaking and horrific accident. The driver did return to the scene to speak with officers." Polivka said that Kaya's death remains "under review," but it is believed to have been just a "terrible, a terrible accident."
Kaya joined SPD in 2016, going through the K9 training as just a puppy. He earned certificates in narcotics detection, tracking, and vehicle search. Polivka said, "Kaya was very spirited. Was very attentive to his handler, and loved to play. He was a good employee. Was a good worker." Kaya's sudden and tragic death leaves SPD with only one K9, Mika, following the death of K9 Reno after a brief illness about six months ago.
The department has looked into replacing Reno, but it would cost somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 for the dog plus the training. Nothing has yet been decided. Details about any services for Kaya are pending. Polivka said, "That will be up to Officer Hall and his family to the greatest extent as to what they're comfortable with doing because Kaya was a member of their family. They're very heartbroken."
For those asking about donations, they can be sent to the Streetsboro Police Association, C/O K-9 Kaya, 2030 SR 303, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241. The donations received will help fund the K9 program.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments