Awarded Cass County Police Dog Dies

WALKER, Minn. (WCCO) -- A police dog who was responsible for finding more than 20 pounds of narcotics and assisting in the arrests of numerous suspects has died.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office announced that Portos, a German Shepherd, died on Tuesday afternoon. He served on the department for seven years before retiring in December 2012.

Portos served with K-9 officer Bill Conner, and was handed multiple certifications from the U.S. Police K-9 Association.

The two received special recognition twice, once for seizing 15 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.