Police dog memorial unveiled

The Winnipeg Police Service unveiled a memorial to dogs who have served in its canine unit Wednesday.

California artist Susan Bahary created the bronze sculpture, titled Forever Faithful. It is located beside the canine unit building at 77 Durand Rd., on the grounds of the police service’s east district station.

The memorial is intended as a tribute to the more than 78 dogs who have served with the WPS since the unit’s inception in 1971. Four granite pillars are engraved with the names, badge numbers and years of service of the dogs.

A pathway of 436 engraved stones, donated by citizens and corporate partners, leads to the memorial. Each stone bears a personal message.

Construction began this summer, the WPS said in a news release. The memorial was conceptualized in 2016, and eight fundraisers were held over nine years.