Overview
- Walpole police confirmed that Rebel, a golden retriever who served as the department’s community resource dog, died following a “tragic accident” at the police station on Tuesday.
- Rebel spent about eight years visiting schools, responding to crisis scenes, and providing emotional support as the first community resource dog trained by Golden Opportunities for Independence.
- The department thanked Tufts Veterinary Hospital for care provided in the 24 hours before Rebel’s death and asked the public to keep handler School Resource Officer Tom Hart and his family in their thoughts.
- Authorities have not released details about what happened, and officials said no additional information will be released at this time while a future memorial is planned.
- Community resource dogs like Rebel are trained to help de-escalate trauma and offer comfort to students, first responders, and residents, and GOFI said Rebel’s role helped shape its program and future dogs.