Critically ill Temecula PD K9 “Dayka” teaching officers & community true meaning of “sterkte”
TEMECULA — When Temecula Police Department’s K9 Dayka began showing signs of “some sort of back injury” over the past few weeks, her handler and law enforcement family never could have imagined just how sick she really was. But when her body began shutting down and she was rushed to a Murrieta animal clinic, nobody was prepared for the terrible news they received from veterinarians.
After running a battery of tests, veterinarians discovered Dayka was suffering from a “massive abscess” near her lungs. The huge mass had surrounded the critically ill K9’s kidneys and was found throughout her entire abdomen.
Without major surgery and immediate life-saving intervention, vets reported grimly that Dayka had no hope for survival.
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Dayka was immediately hospitalized and veterinarians at VCA California Oaks Animal Hospital in Murrieta performed surgery the very next day to remove the life-threatening abscess.
Sheriff’s officials are hoping one of their own, K9 “Dayka,” will be coming home soon after suffering a life-threatening abscess and undergoing major surgery. RSO photo
“The surgery was extremely dangerous due to several other symptoms including pneumonia and blood clots,” Temecula PD officials explained yesterday afternoon in the department’s first social media release and public acknowledgment of just how sick Dayka had become.
“For several days, we have hoped and prayed, relying on the veterinarians and Dayka’s own indomitable will to recover from her surgery and fight off her infection,” officials explained. “We have waited to publicly discuss her illness until we were comfortable she would be coming home soon.”
“During this ordeal, Dayka has taught us not only the Dutch word for strength, ‘#sterkte,’ but also it’s meaning,” said officials.
“As it stands, Dayka has proven to be stronger than anyone could have expected and is adamant that she be returned home with her handler,” officials continued.
Dayka’s handler and partner Deputy Matthew Cramer, has reportedly spent the past week haunting the halls of the Murrieta clinic, while spending countless hours learning about the various couches inside the vet’s office.
Area law enforcement officers have been visiting Dayka and her exhausted handler at the clinic day and night bringing both strength, love, prayers, and hope that Dayka could overcome the illness that nearly killed her.
Although she is still suffering from several symptoms which could still prove life-threatening, veterinarians have said Dayka could come home soon, much to the relief of not only Cramer, but all those who know and love her as well.
Saying, “Thank you all, from the bottoms of our hearts,” sheriff’s officials later commended Veterinary Specialists, Dr’s Schultz, Drayton, and Dhupa, for their dedication, compassion, and handling of Dayka’s life-threatening illness.
“Rest assured Dayka is well cared for and has a large support network providing her love, pets, and treats, at all time of day and night,” said officials. “What she really needs now is moral support and prayers.”
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Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.