Beloved Arlington K-9 laid to rest

ARLINGTON, Ma — Officers, K-9s and children came out Thursday to say goodbye to beloved K-9 Dasty.

"I'm speechless over it, it's truly amazing," said Officer Mike Hogan, who has Dasty's handler.

Dasty served with the Arlington Police Department and passed away in June from cancer. 

Hogan said it was hard to say goodbye to the beloved German Shepherd after years of working together.

"It's as powerful if not more powerful than a marriage," said Chief Fred James.

During his career, Dasty appeared on Animal Planet twice and responded to more than 600 calls.

"He was a real serious dog, and if I had to go get a bad guy or find something, he was awesome at it," said Hogan.

Though he was great catching the bad guys, he was also great with kids; Dasty spent a lot of time in local schools, which is why crowds of children came to his funeral procession Thursday on the Brian R. Greeley Memorial Plaza.

"It just made he feel comfortable when he came," said Grace Canniff, a student.

The police department said Dasty had a huge role in force as well as the community.

Although his memory will live on, Hogan says working isn't the same without him.

Cox Media Group