While the Hall County Sheriff's Office doesn't know yet the exact cause of death for K9 officer Gus, they said exposure to toxic blue-green algae has been ruled out.
"On Thursday, August 22, the Sheriff’s Office heard from Murrayville Veterinary Clinic, who has been in communication with the University of Georgia (UGA). UGA ruled out toxic blue-green algae as the cause of death," said HCSO spokesman Derreck Booth in a media statement.
Booth said vets at UGA continue their investigation.
"We’re still awaiting word on the actual cause, although they’re contemplating the possibility of a heart issue or brain aneurysm," Booth wrote.
Gus, an 8-year-old bloodhound, died on August 13, and there was some speculation he might have been exposed to contaminated water in a pond; he had jumped into the pond earlier in the week as he was tracking a suspect in the Gainesville area.
Follow this link to read Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch's tribute to Gus.
