TOKYO - A memorial service was held at a cemetery in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward on the morning of November 4 to honor police and security dogs that served in criminal investigations, disaster rescue operations, and other police duties, with 11 dogs newly laid to rest since late September 2025.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, including the head of its Identification Division, with participants offering prayers and paying their respects at a memorial monument dedicated to the dogs.
Among the 11 dogs commemorated was Lego, who died at the age of 9 years and 11 months after approximately seven years of service. During his career, Lego was deployed on 366 missions, making significant contributions to police investigations and search operations.
In 2022, Lego successfully located a missing person, an achievement that earned him the Superintendent General's Award and the Criminal Investigation Department Director's Award in recognition of his outstanding service.
Manabu Ide, head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Identification Division, expressed gratitude for the dogs' dedication during the ceremony.
"The 11 police dogs were our good friends and valued colleagues," Ide said. "We held this memorial service to express our gratitude for carrying out their duties to the very end, and to convey our appreciation for their hard work."
Police dogs and security dogs play an important role in law enforcement, assisting officers in locating missing people, tracking suspects, detecting evidence, and conducting security and rescue operations. The annual memorial service provides an opportunity for officers to recognize their contributions and honor the animals that served alongside them.
Source: FNN
