Handler: DuPage Police Dog Was 'Unbelievable'

CHICAGO (CBS) -- "Stitch," the only cadaver dog at the DuPage County Sheriff's office, died a week ago. WBBM's Steve Miller has more on his story, and the agonizing decision his partner had to make to end Stitch's life.

Stitch was an amazing dog says his handler, DuPage Sheriff's Deputy John Bertuca.

"Unbelievable, what he did," said Bertuca.

Smart and talented.

Bertuca says Stitch loved to work. And because of work, he developed bulging discs on his spine and could not walk - much less work.

"It's hard to watch because they know when you put your uniform on, (it means), 'Hey, I'm going to work.'

"And to take that away from them, it's really not fair to be honest with you."

Stitch had been scheduled for surgery a week ago.

"The doctor assessed him and told me that no matter what they did surgery-wise, it really wasn't going to work out where he could return to duty and he probably would never be walking again..."

"He's been in the car for nine years, and now he's just not. It's hard, it's extremely hard."