The Niagara County Sheriff's Office says one of its canines died suddenly Friday.
Canine EJ was found unresponsive by his handler Deputy Richard Bull. An autopsy will be performed, but initial reports say EJ died from a gastric issue in his stomach. EJ was born in Hungary in September 2015 and arrived at the Niagara County Sheriff's Office in March 2017.
Sheriff James Voutour said Deputy Bull and EJ spent less than a year together but were involved in the recovery of numerous pieces of evidence and the discovery of illegal narcotics.
"While Canine EJ's tenure with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office was short, he undoubtedly will be remembered for his hard work, loyal friendship to Deputy Bull and service to Niagara County," Voutour said.
EJ was named after Bull's friend Lance Corporal Eric James Orlowski, a US Marine who died in the Iraq war in March 2003.