Spokane police dog on eve of retirement corners man

[January 20, 2009]  SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Var the police dog has added one more brave arrest to his record -- his last one.

Spokane police officers say the dog was on his last night of patrol before retirement when he cornered a teenager sought for investigation of murder.

A tip led officers to surround a house Sunday night, and in the ensuing search Officer Dan Lesser and Var found the 19-year-old suspect hiding in the basement.

Three other teens were being sought in connection with the stabbing death of 22-year-old Shannon Cochran.

It was Var's last night on duty after eight years in service. The dog retired Monday because of medical problems, and his replacement, a German Shepherd from Germany named Cisco, was flown in the same day.

[Associated Press]

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