The Prescott Valley Police Department is mourning the loss of K-9 Mac — and still searching for answers.
Mac, a two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois and narcotics detection dog, was found dead in his sleep last weekend at the home of his handler, Officer Justin Ellison. Mac had no known health issues prior to his death — making the loss all the more unexpected.
Police Community Services Supervisor Jodi Mullins tells The News the bond between a handler and their dog runs deep.
Mac’s body has been sent to the University of Arizona for an autopsy. The department says there’s no indication of anything suspicious. During his short career, Mac logged 45 deployments — helping seize roughly 14 pounds of fentanyl, five pounds of methamphetamine, and several firearms tied to drug arrests. He also supported patrol and SWAT operations for multiple agencies across the region.
Mullins says the community should expect updates as they become available — but right now the focus remains on finding out what happened.
PVPD says its three remaining K-9s keep the unit operational, with mutual aid agreements in place with the Prescott Police Department and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office if additional canine support is needed.