Nitro was exactly what we should be
FALLEN POLICE DOG: The critics are blind to his loyalty, courage, kindness and integrity

Mark Tonner, Special to The Province
Published: Sunday, February 05, 2006

There is nothing in policing exempt from controversy. Last week, we lost one of our working dogs, only to find ourselves criticized over the emotion VPD people attach to such a creature. We're informed, by those claiming perspective, that a dog is a tool, not a person.

We're endlessly reminded that policing is a public profession, but the experiences are very much personal. I can guess at what PC Howard Rutter is going through, now that his dog Nitro has been run down by a train. I can speculate over what his family, and his pals in the dog squad, are feeling. What I can only guess at is how the resulting publicity affects them.

Nitro was set for retirement, some six months from now. Arthritis was beginning to show, as it tends to with German shepherds in middle years. PC Rutter chose an early exit for Nitro, who could easily have worked another year and a half, just to ensure he had a nice run of family time.

Whatever the date, a police dog is in danger to the last minute. The same stands for those in human skin. As long as you stay in the game, you're at risk. There are any number of people who wish you harm, any number indifferent to your survival and set on escape.

The hazards are accepted by humans, who deal with them in a variety of ways. It must be remembered that every one of us volunteered. None of our dogs signed up; they were born to breeders, introduced to handlers and trained to chase bad guys.

Don't kid yourselves that they can't tell the difference. There is more going on during a foot track than simple obedience -- keep a dog in this line of work any length of time and he can pick evil characters out of a crowd.

It's been said dogs know more about people than people do. Whatever the gift is, Nitro had it. The boy could bring down crooks all night, rise in the morning and lick smiling faces in a kindergarten class.

Are police waxing sentimental over this? It's not like we're hugging each other in hallways, but make no

mistake -- it means something.

What I'm seeing is based in respect and support for Howard Rutter, but that's not all. There is an acknowledgement of the courage in play when Nitro went for the man fleeing by train. I'm left with the impression that Nitro would have made the attempt, even if he knew it would kill him.

That kind of devotion is a little hard to come by in humans. It exists, certainly, but what I'm getting at is this: Dogs embody the virtues we encourage in people. Loyalty, courage, integrity, even gentleness. Police officers see demonstrations of canine character more than most, and are subsequently more mindful of it.

There, that sums it up. Except for a closing measure of maudlin philosophy.

I'm convinced all dogs go to heaven. Yes, I said it. They're innocent -- more than a human can ever be. Nothing in the universe ceases to exist; all energy continues.

Does that mean Nitro is chasing bad guys through sunny meadows, young and arthritis-free? Perhaps not. There aren't supposed to be any bad guys in paradise.

Either way, I'll stake my best on this: He still loves his master, he wags his tail when he thinks of him, and he'll wait as long as it takes to see him again.

Sgt. Mark Tonner is a Vancouver police officer whose column appears every second Sunday in Unwind. His opinions aren't necessarily those of the city's police department or board. Tonner may be contacted with column ideas or responses at marcuspt@shaw.ca

REMEMBERING NITRO

Anyone wishing to express their condolences on the death of Nitro can do so online at www.vpd.ca. His memorial service will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Seaforth Armouries (1650 Burrard St.) and is open to the public. Several police dogs will be present and the public is requested not to bring dogs.
© The Vancouver Province 2006