Police K9 Immortalized By Netflix Movie Rescued by Ruby Euthanized

Ruby the K-9 [Image WPRI/YouTube]

Many dog lovers enjoyed the Netflix movie Rescued by Ruby, especially because it was based on a true story. Corporal Dan O’Neil of the Rhode Island police had rescued Ruby and trained her to become a lifesaving dog. Through that, Ruby also rescued Dan himself. However, sadly, the Rhode Island K9 that inspired the movie has been euthanized. According to O’Neil, “she will be honored privately.”

Dog who inspired Rescued by Ruby is euthanized

According to the Rhode Island State Police on Sunday, Ruby, the shelter dog who became a lifesaving police K-9, is no longer with us. Ruby was represented in the March 2022 Netflix movie, Rescued by Ruby and has unfortunately been euthanized.

Ruby the K-9 [Image WPRI/YouTube]

Associated Press reports that K-9 Ruby was put down on Friday, following a “sudden, acute, and untreatable illness.” According to the statement, Ruby “served admirably for 11 years.”

In a tweet sent out by the Rhode Island police department, they are “saddened to announce the passing of K-9 Ruby following a sudden, acute and untreatable illness.”

We're saddened to announce the passing of K-9 Ruby following a sudden, acute, and untreatable illness. Ruby was rescued from the RISPCA & served admirably for 11 yrs. Please keep Cpl O'Neil, his family, and the K-9 family in your thoughts. Press release: https://t.co/ZQNkz6uCKl pic.twitter.com/QUALPchTdW

— RI State Police (@RIStatePolice) May 15, 2022

The tweet continued, “Ruby was rescued from the RISPCA & served admirably for 11 yrs. Please keep Cpl O’Neil, his family, and the K-9 family in your thoughts.”

Meanwhile, Col. Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the State Police, said in a statement that K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to serving the citizens of Rhode Island. He said that she made a “positive impact on every person she ever interacted with.”

According to Weaver, Ruby became a “symbol of hope for all shelter dogs.” She went on to show the world what a shelter dog can do if given love and the chance to shine.

About Ruby

Originally, Ruby was a hyperactive shelter dog who had problems finding a forever home. In fact, the eight-month-old pup was adopted and returned to RISPCA by five families.

Meanwhile, the Australian shepherd and border collie mix was eventually adopted by Cpl. Daniel O’Neill in 2011. He was seeking a search-and-rescue dog for work and described Ruby as “determined” and “focused” during her K-9 training following her adoption.

‘A total knucklehead’

Fox News quotes shelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman saying Ruby “was a total knucklehead.” Inman explained that she jumped and bit her leash and wouldn’t sit or lie down. In fact, Ruby never stopped moving, and as she was special, she needed a “special person.”

K-9 Ruby [Image @RIStatePolice/Twitter]

Meanwhile, the loving pup served as a K-9 for the Rhode Island State Police, assisting in several search-and-rescue missions. In fact, back in 2018, O’Neil and Ruby found a teenage boy who had fallen into a ravine and was unconscious. However, later, they discovered that the teenager was Inman’s son who had been missing for 36 hours. Recalling the incident, Inman said she was beside herself and “overwhelmed.”

So many things had to fall into place for this to happen… The universe works in mysterious ways…

In 2018, Ruby was honored at the 2018 American Humane Hero Dogs Award ceremony. As can be seen in the video below, the talented K-9 won in the search-and-rescue dog of the year category.

It was four years later in March that the Netflix movie, Rescued by Ruby, told the K-9’s story. According to the Rhode Island State Police, Ruby lived with Corporal O’Neil and his family. The police said in a statement that Ruby will be honored privately.

RIP to a loving and heroic K-9, Ruby.