AP
A Secret Service dog fell to its death from the roof of a six-story parking lot while working to protect Vice President Joe Biden in New Orleans Saturday night.
The Belgian Malanois plunged off the parking lot roof around 6 p.m. near the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where Biden was speaking at a fundraiser for Sen. Mary Landrieu, WWL-TV reported.
A Secret Service spokesman told CNN the death was a “tragic accident.”
According to WWL, federal agents and police rushed the dog via motorcade to a veterinary hospital, but veterinarians were unable to revive it.
The Secret Service began using dogs in 1975 to detect explosives. The agency specifically uses Belgian Malanois because they’re smaller, faster, sociable and have short hair that allows them to work in the heat. Each dog completes 20 weeks of basic training before beginning work and retrains eight hours a week for the rest of its career, the agency said.
The dogs are retired to their handlers usually when they’re about 10 years old.
Editor’s note: This post incorrectly stated that Secret Service dogs complete 20 hours of initial training. They complete 20 weeks of training.
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Comments (192)
piper60
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:57amThe dog might have seen something to chase, and accidentally fell. Who knows. Pretty sad in any case.
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IndyGuy
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:32amDogs have no concept that over a wall may be a drop…I had a dog jump off a bridge once and luckily landed in the river instead of the rocks 3 feet away…I’ve heard of others doing the same…
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turkey13
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:56amSecret Service people have seen things they were not supposed to see and just disappeared or had a tragic accident. This doy saw something he should not have seen.
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IndyGuy
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:11amDog to Handler: “I can’t stand having to safeguard this idiot”
Handler to Dog: Whatta Ya gonna do???
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Fubared
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:23amPoor mutt probably saw the bill that the SS has to pay Biden for renting his cottage on his estate.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/joe-biden-collecting-rent-secret-194812366.html
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Trigus
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:27amI have seen dogs jump off parking garages in New Orleans when their Master was playing fetch with them and the ball went over the side.
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biohazard23
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:42amPoor doggie. (sniffle)
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crackerone
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:50amEach dog completes 20 hours of basic training before beginning work and retrains eight hours a week for the rest of its career, the agency said.
20 hours of basic training before beginning work? Maybe it was his first day?
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FlamingFartSyndrome
Jan. 27, 2013 at 12:18pmYeah the dog probably jumped over a wall thinking there would be ground at the same level behind it. Very sad
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Joe_The_Patriot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 12:48pmThe part of the story you didn’t hear is that dog will be made into jerky for Barry to enjoy while on the golf course or flying around the world on our dime….
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cosette
Jan. 27, 2013 at 1:01pmAs an avid animal lover, it saddens me to know that that beautiful animal lost his life while guarding such an enormous POS! What a waste of a precious animal.
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oneshiner
Jan. 27, 2013 at 1:35pm@COSETTE: You said it best and what I was thinking as well.
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shorelineliz
Jan. 27, 2013 at 2:05pmThe dog obviously committed suicide rather than spend one more day guarding this drunken buffoon.
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goldencomando
Jan. 27, 2013 at 3:33pmi feel bad for the poor dog. maybe he/she jumped? if i was a dog guarding biden i don’t think i could stand to listen to him . probably was a female dog and he kept saying” here boy.”
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:32pmCosette and Oneshiner,
While I too love dogs, especially German Shepards, don’t forget for one second that his goon handler would have no problem letting him rip you to shreds and would high-five and back slap his goon buddies afterward. These scowling cretins that hover around Obama hate your fricking guts and will do anything to any American in order to continue their privileged status. They think they are special. Different than you and I. I hope he loved that beautiful dog and is heart broken to say the least. I wish only the worst upon those that protect communist dictators.
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NRA4LIFE
Jan. 27, 2013 at 5:48pmi think the dog has more sense than the millions of idiots who re-elected obama.. he probably couldnt see this country being ruined/bankrupted….or have to listen to this idiot for another 5 minutes.. death for him was preferable than having to protect one of the dumbest persons to ever hold this office
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carrietony
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:06pmDogs kown height you are wrong this handler is incompetent the dog should have been on a LEASH my husband was a k-9 handler for years in the army this guy should NEVER be allowed to handle a dog again..irresonsible the bottom line!!!
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banjarmon
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:59pmShame that it was the dog that jumped… it Should of been BIDEN!!
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dianna9490
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:10pmHe was probably committing suicide- a way 2 get away from biden (biteme)
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Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
Jan. 28, 2013 at 2:10am“Secret Service Dog Guarding Biden Falls to Its Death From New Orleans Parking Garage Roof”
Oh sorry about the typo folks. We left a “comma” out:
“Secret Service Dog Guarding, Biden Falls to Its Death From New Orleans Parking Garage Roof”
… AND THE CROWD GOES WILD !! :D
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Gorp
Jan. 28, 2013 at 6:13amThe dog didn’t fall off the roof by accident. He committed suicide once he realized whom he was protecting.
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taxx
Jan. 29, 2013 at 5:01amA dog’s primary sense is smell. Sight is second. If a dog was scenting something and following it then this could happens. Or the dog’s drive (as some suggested by the handler throwing the toy) could have the dog make a tragic error.
The problems I see, being a K9 handler myself, is why the hell was the dog not on lead in an elevated environment??? This smells of a handler error.
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blanco5
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:49amHe knew too much.
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kenboo1
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:45amSomeone should open a congressional investigation as to what he knew and when he knew it… Was he in Columbia recently???
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boomboom
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:20amDied of embarrassment, then jumped…..aaaaahhhhhhhhh.
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shorelineliz
Jan. 27, 2013 at 2:07pmYes. Obviously the dog was an eyewitness to something. I am sure this will be ruled a heart attack in the press.
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term limits for congress
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:48amThe handler was drunk. Uncle Joe was drunk, of course.
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tyuchic
Jan. 27, 2013 at 3:55pmi would like to hear where the handler was, and why he wasn’t in control of his animal.
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:36pmI mean, just look at the face on that goon in the picture above. If there ever was an embodiment of psychopathic sense of absolute superiority, it is in that creeps face. These are the types of cretins we are up against. Totally sick in the head bullies that will march any and all that oppose them to the gas chambers. And then. laugh about it with their pals. As long as they get a big paycheck, pension and “special” (ie whores) privilege.
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GuruMeditation
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:47amHe was likely just following Biden. So how is the VP?
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MignonMallon
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:40amThe five rules of journalism are Who, What, When, Where and HOW!!! This story raises suspicion because there is no explanation. Or did ‘The Minister of Information’ issue this statement for release; and it’s dutiful press comply without daring to ask a simple question: “How did this happen?”
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WarMunger_Al
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:50amit was suicide….The poor dog could no longer stomach protecting the POS biden
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G-WHIZ
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:08amGaff-us-a-minnit-us caused thepoor dog to laugh soooo hard he fell offa the roof…..OOPS! SPLATT!
:-)
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ONLY4UANDME
Jan. 27, 2013 at 2:18pmAs per Hillary, the dog is dead what does it matter anyway. and no one said to her…..because you answer to your boss…THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. What a concept.
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tyuchic
Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:03pmthere is little true journalism any more. when was the last time you read something from the “news”, where “the five” (which i learned of in junior high) are actually covered? seldom… and probably by accident when it is.
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SpankDaMonkey
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:39am.
Instead of jumping off the roof, he should have gone after Biden and done us all a favor…..
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love the kids
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:36amAccording to WWL, federal agents and police rushed the dog via motorcade to a veterinary hospital,
They stopped protecting Biden to try to save a dog, I think they made a good choice. For once, the police didn’t “act stupidly”
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ickyopterus
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:35amToo bad the dog fell instead of Biden’, the dog is a hell of lot better animal and certainly much more trustworthy……….
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13Lena
Jan. 27, 2013 at 11:18amI was thinking the same thing.
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ezalbeht666
Jan. 27, 2013 at 3:44pmAnd have Hillary appointed VP? Joe is the gift the keeps on giving.
/Glad Joe is Okay
//Poor Dog :(
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:38pm@13Lena,
Please change your avatar. You are blowing me away with your beauty. Zowie ! Other than that, carry on patriot.
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NoMoMrNiceGuy
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:35amHow the hell does a dog FALL off a roof ? – Umm ….something is wrong with this picture.
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GuruMeditation
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:48amYeah. It does sound a bit whacky.
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NoMoMrNiceGuy
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:58amIKR – I have had dogs as companions for my entire life. Dogs do not just fall off the roof. Given the roof of the parking garage is such that it is designed to prevent this type of accident.
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msjoe43
Jan. 27, 2013 at 1:51pmThe dog probably seen or sense a ghost or an evil apparition.
The dog caused of the death an evil apparition.
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love the kids
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:33amIf there weren’t multi level parking garages, this NEVER would of happened. We need to ban and destroy ALL multi level parking garages. If it even saves 1 dog’s life, it will be worth it.
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Spitfire68
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:17am@ Love the Kids
You took the words right out of my mouth!! High rise buildings should be demolished – it’s all their fault!!!
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NozzleMan03
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:33amThe dog did not fall.He actually committed suicide and jumped off the building.Poor animal could not take it anymore having to work for Biden for another four years.
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netmail
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:54amIf you took a poll of Blaze readers and asked “Why did the dog do it?” and one of the choices was “suicide”, I bet 80% would check that box. That was my first thought.
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Glock29
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:32amI think the dog realized it was actually committing treason protecting Biden and could not deal with it any longer so just jumped.
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000degrees
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:31amLate breaking…… The dog had a paw over each ear and was heard saying woof woof woof ( la la la la I can’t hear you ) all the way down
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qpwillie
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:30amAt least they got to it while it was still fresh. The Obamas can have it for supper.
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Fubared
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:32amHahahahaha. On a stick.
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Do The Right Thing
Jan. 27, 2013 at 10:53amNow THAT’S FUNNY!!!
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jas0707
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:28amWhat the Dog was protecting was hardly worth its loss.
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lock-n-load-in-pa
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:24amI’m sure many working for this administration pondered the same way out.
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woodyee
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:19amAccording to WWL, federal agents and police rushed the dog via motorcade…
A human equivalent?
In California, a police dog is considered a police officer, despite not being human. Therefore by harming a police dog you are effectively harming a police officer in the eyes of the law.
Then killing a dog is like killing a person.
Striking a dog with your vehicle and leaving the scene is? If your dog bites a neighbor, you’ve assaulted the neighbor. Follow the logic?
Just food for thought…
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WarMunger_Al
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:52amexcept when it comes to the police shooting your dog, then it is no big deal.
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DougHuffman
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:26amForcing moral equivalency of man and beast is a slippery slope to Hell. MOLON LABE Fly Lord
D’ya think he’s gonna protect flies like Jack Booted Thugs?
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:53pmWarmunger
Exactly, you hit the nail on the head. They can murder our dogs with impunity, laugh it off, backslap each other , then go out for beers. But if you so much as even attempt to keep your throat from being ripped out by their mutts, you get 5-10. There will come a day in this country when the people will have had enough of these govt goons. It is reaching that point soon. I have met and spoken to many fine policemen in my life. I surely hope they make the right call when the time comes. And, conversely, I have witnessed the most evil depravity from the same. They will pay the ultimate price for their treachery. Karma is real, and it is very effective.
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Robertz
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:17amWhy even bother to report it if you don’t give some details. That’s like saying that Joe Blo robbed a bank today! Who/What/When/Where and How? DUHHH
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yougottabekidding
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:17amUsually don’t work without a lead, on a harness! If it fell it should have been able to be retrieved
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adie
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:15amWhat on earth was the handler doing that allowed the dog to be out of his or her control? This makes no sense at all.
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RANGER1965
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:14amThere’s more to this story.
Dog’s have perfect senses and insticts about such things. A dog that is under 10 years, trained, and in good shape generally don’t trip, stumble, or take suicide dives off cliffs. I’m not buying it.
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loriann12
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:24amMy thoughts exactly…what did the dog find that he wasn’t supposed to? Or was the handler supposed to go over with the dog?
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GuruMeditation
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:52amStrongly agree.
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GuruMeditation
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:06amMaybe Joe tossed his bag of weed over the edge before he got caught with it.
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AUsername
Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:59ammy dog looked at edges, sniffed and than walked back before he was trained. Probably the agent knocked the dog off the cliff or michael vicked it.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Jan. 27, 2013 at 2:24pmI’m thinking the same thing. There’s more that we aren’t being told.
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 5:01pmCome on Ranger, really? I mean really man. You are a soldier, ex probably, but a soldier. A man that took life and saved life. Definitely not a fool. Do you really think the dog “saw too much”. I mean really. Please expound upon your “theory” for the rest of us mere mortals. Knock off the innuendo crap.
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DougHuffman
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:10amAccident? What did the dog know, like Vince Foster, Ron Brown, and legion others?
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Smokey_Bojangles
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:26amThe Dog Who Knew Too Much.
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OldSurfRat
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:10amThat sucks. To bad it was not the other way around.
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Mil-Dot
Jan. 27, 2013 at 5:05pmRight on Rat. Concur totally.
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sacwoodpusher
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:09amThe dog, realizing its role in preserving the life of this joker,,,,jumped!
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karen162
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:03amHow could this have happened??? What was the dog doing that it fell from a 6 story roof? I don’t doubt its an accident, but would like to know how it happened.
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EdtheK
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:34amMaybe they were playing frisbee while Ol’ Joe was talking, and the frisbee went long and so did the dog?
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love the kids
Jan. 27, 2013 at 8:37amThey will invistigate as soon as they are done with that whole “Bengazi” thing.
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