Police dog dies after injury

PORTAGE | Portage's police dog, Eros, died Friday -- nearly a month after having emergency surgery for a ruptured disc in his neck.

Eros' partner, Sgt. Mark Monks, said the dog -- who had been with the department for eight years -- did not recover from the surgery.

"For the past week or so he seemed to slip back a little each day," Monks said. "After a very promising first week after the surgery, he just could not maintain and the spine just did not heal as we had hoped."

Monks said he wanted to thank the community for their emotional and financial support of Eros. More donations were received than needed and the remainder will be put into a fund set aside for the care of future police dogs.

Monks said he also wanted to thank his fellow officers, local business and the school district for support.