http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1065214.html
'Most cloneworthy' dog
Ex-Halifax cop enters, wins contest to have Trakr cloned
By MONIQUE MUISE
Wed. Jul 2 -
A Nova Scotia dog that was heralded a hero in the aftermath of Sept. 11 is about to get a second chance at life — literally.
Trakr the German shepherd became famous around the world when he helped uncover the last human survivor of Ground Zero with the help of his owner, former Halifax police officer James Symington.
Now, the remarkable canine is making headlines again as the winner of a contest to find the world’s "most cloneworthy" dog.
Trakr, who is now 15 years old and suffering from a degenerative neurological disorder, will be replicated right down to the last cell by a team of scientists in South Korea. The competition was organized by BioArts International, an American company that claims to possess the exclusive rights to clone dogs and cats.
"We received many very touching submissions to our contest describing some truly amazing dogs," said Lou Hawthorne, CEO of BioArts. "But Trakr’s story blew us away."
The company will be cloning six dogs. The remaining five spots will be auctioned off online this week, with the bidding starting at $100,000.
Company representatives say Trakr’s clone could be running around Mr. Symington’s backyard before the end of this year.
While Trakr is considered a hero, the dog’s owner has become a controversial figure.
Mr. Symington was suspended in the fall of 2001 for his rescue efforts after Sept. 11. The former constable was off work on sick leave at the time.
The police department launched a criminal investigation when he returned to Halifax, and at one point considered charging him with fraud. The investigation was eventually dropped, but Mr. Symington was fired in 2005.
A series of legal battles followed with Mr. Symington trying to sue the police force and its union.