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LAFAYETTE, La. -- A K-9 with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office died Sunday night after the dog and its handler were struck by a hit-and-run driver, an official said Monday.
Lt. Craig Stansbury, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said an unidentified K-9 officer and Hector, his K-9, had just finished a building check in the 2600 block of Cameron Street at 11:25 p.m.
They were returning to the deputy's car when an unidentified vehicle came up behind them, striking Hector and knocking the deputy over.
The vehicle did not stop, Stansbury said.
Hector died at the scene.
The deputy was treated at a local hospital and released, Stansbury said.
Hector, of the Belgian Malinois variety that resembles a German shepherd, had been with the department and the deputy for two years.
"He's taken it hard," Stansbury said of the deputy.
"He was with the K-9 for two years, almost 24/7."
K-9 unit dogs are cared for by the deputies at their homes when they are not at work.
Meanwhile, authorities say they have information that a black Mercedes driven by a black man was in the area at the time and may be a witness, or has information regarding the incident.
