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DENVER, Colo. – An off-duty Denver Police dog used to detect bombs at Denver International Airport got free from its handler and attacked and killed a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix who was being walked by a neighbor, officials said.

The incident occurred on Sunday, April 15, around 5 p.m. in Arvada.

According to Denver Police, the dog’s handler, Tec. Sgt. Bradley Rhodes, called the Arvada Police Department to report the attack. He was issued a summons for Dangerous Dog and Dog Running at Large.

The dog, “Rita,” was “immediately removed from her training as a Bomb Detection Dog at the airport,” according to a statement released by DPD spokesman Sonny Jackson. “An Internal Affairs investigation has been opened to determine if the actions of Tec. Rhodes violated the Denver Police Department’s Canine Policy.”

Denver Police Chief Robert White stated, “I very much regret the loss of someone’s pet due to the actions of one of our canines. We send our condolences to the owner of the dog that was attacked.”