The Region - News from Jan. 4, 1987

Blue, who had survived stabbings and bludgeonings during more than five years as the Los Angeles Police Department’s first search dog, is dead. The 8-year-old German shepherd participated in 700 searches and the arrest of 253 felony suspects. Blue died of degenerative mylopthy, a disease that afflicts older dogs and that caused him to be retired more than a year ago, according to his handler, Sgt. Mark Mooring, who is in charge of the LAPD’s canine unit.