Ithaca (WSYR-TV) – Cornell University’s first police dog has passed away.
After several months of battling chronic infections, deteriorating, and lack of mobility, 12-year-old Sabre died on Jan. 5, 2012.
The Cornell Police Department obtained the black Labrador Retriever from the Tompkins County SPCA. He was born on Aug. 3, 1999.
In addition to working on the Cornell campus, Sabre was called into high schools, airports, and other colleges throughout Central New York and the Southern Tier.
Before the end of his eight year career in 2008, Sabre helped keep venues safe for visiting dignitaries including President Bill Clinton, US Senator Hillary Clinton, and the Dalai Lama.
Along with the Clintons and the Dalai Lama, Sabre ensured the safety of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Martin Luther King III, actor Danny Glover; and musicians B.B. King, Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, the Stone Temple Pilots, Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas.
In 2005, a suspicious package with a timing device was found behind the Walmart in Ithaca. Sabre was called in to sniff the package, which the police department bomb squad from Endicott later rendered safe.
