Vineland takes time to mourn loss of police dog

    Vineland lost its first police K-9 Monday, and the city is taking time to mourn the German shepherd they way it would any other officer.

    Cliff, 5, was struck by a car early Monday as he and his partner, Sgt. William Bontcue, finished looking for a burglary suspect, the Daily Journal reports. Though an officer was directing traffic, a 75-year-old woman insted swerved around a uniform officer and hit the dog. She was issued summonses for reckless driving and disregarding an officer’s signal.

    Today, the police department, mayor and residents and giving their condolences to Bontcue and mourning Cliff’s passing. Thoughtful messages are being left on the department’s Facebook page, and Mayor Robert Romano ordered all flags be flown at half-staff.

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