New Life Flight program will fly police dogs injured in the line of duty
Feb 21, 2024, 6:00 AM
The program was inspired after Chad Reyes lost his K-9 partner, Dingo, seven years ago. Reyes said there is not a day he doesn’t think about Dingo.
“Nothing compares to the bond that you have with your working partner,” he said.
Reyes is now Brigham City’s police chief, but back in 2017, he was with Unified Police in Salt Lake County when K9 Dingo was shot and killed by a man police were chasing.
“Losing an animal, a partner like that is like losing a part of yourself,” Reyes said.
A new program started by Intermountain Health will allow for any police K-9 injured in the line of duty to be flown by Life Flight to receive medical treatment. (Istvan Bartos, KSL TV)
Dingo is credited with saving Reyes’ life that night, as well as the lives of other officers on that assignment. It is also why Reyes’ office is full of Dingo’s pictures and awards.
“It is a way for me to honor Dingo’s memory and his sacrifice,” Reyes said.
Reyes has continued to build and support the K-9 program with the Brigham City Police Department. However, he was excited to hear about a new program Intermountain Health is starting.
