Hawke's Bay police dog, Dirk has had to be put down, despite on-going treatment.
The dog has been having intensive care since handler Senior Constable Mike Warren noticed his crime-fighting companion was struggling to walk in June last year.
It was discovered the four-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd had a tumour on his spine.
![Senior Constable Mike Warren signed off his statement with a heartbreaking 'R.I.P. my mate'. Photo / Eastern District Police](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/AHR3BID5UXJNE4NCFRK4O7VQ4U.jpg?auth=b8c02f2fc47d6de5648ddaf95fce2288c7598c509e83074d728523f8a04418bc&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)
"We had finished a busy week and I knew he was pretty tired... He was just playing, chasing his ball on a day off and his back legs just gave in under him.