Accelerant-detecting arson canine Riley has died as a result of a tumor after a seven-year career with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a department spokesman said Wednesday.
A black Labrador retriever, Riley was diagnosed with a brain tumor not related to his work in April, the spokesman said.
“Riley is part of our family,” County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said. “We mourn the loss of Riley the same way we mourn the loss of any other member of the fire family.”
He added Riley’s skill, enthusiastic spirit and gregarious nature will be greatly missed.
In addition to detecting accelerants that could indicate a fire was arson-caused, Riley also served as County Fire’s ambassador to the community through visits and presentations to schools, community events and service clubs.
Riley joined the County Fire Department in 2013, one of four accelerant-detection dogs in California sponsored by the State Farm Insurance Arson Dog Program, a department spokesman said.