CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department is mourning the loss of a beloved K-9, "Ruby." Ruby, along with her partner, Lt. Bill Boudreau, of the department's law enforcement division, served the southwest part of the Granite State, and worked together for more than seven years. During the past few months though, Ruby had been sick.

She saw many veterinary experts and underwent numerous tests and medical treatments in an effort to cure her of her ongoing issues with losing proteins, weight, and muscle mass, according to the department. Unfortunately, "in spite of all the heroic efforts and medical treatments from our experts, Ruby's condition continued to worsen." Although she fought, she was also suffering, according to officials, and the difficult decision was made to put her to sleep.

"Ruby made several recoveries for us during challenging search and rescue missions and I am not sure those victims would have been located in time without her assistance," said Col. Kevin Jordan, the chief of law enforcement at NH Fish and Game. "While we will dearly miss this team's skills and abilities, it is little Ruby's personality and energy level we will miss the most here at Fish and Game, she was loved by all who met her." Together, Boudreau and Ruby assisted state and municipal police, including major crimes, they were certified in fish and wildlife detection, human tracking, and evidence and article detection. They trained weekly, according to officials.

Officials thanked the doctors and staff at the Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Services (CAVES) located in Concord, and the Tenny, Fritz and Combs Animal Hospital located in Peterborough "for their expertise, generosity, and compassion with Ruby and our law enforcement conservation officers and staff over these past difficult months." Condolences may be sent to: Lt. Boudreau and K-9 Ruby, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Law Enforcement Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, and donations in memory of K-9 Ruby may be sent to: K-9 Ruby Memorial Fund, Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, P.O. Box 3993, Concord, NH 03302.

To learn more about the New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Canine program, visit www.wildnh.com/law-enforcement/k9.html.

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