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Polk County K-9 euthanized after contracting Lyme disease

KAXE
Published February 9, 2026 at 2:36 PM CST
Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9, Rex, died Feb. 8, 2026, after suffering from Lyme disease and kidney failure.
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Polk County Sheriff's Office/Emergency Management
Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9, Rex, died Feb. 8, 2026, after suffering from Lyme disease and kidney failure.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said 7-year-old K-9 Rex recently became very ill and had failing kidneys.

CROOKSTON — Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9 Rex died Sunday, Feb. 8, after recently becoming ill.

A news release from the sheriff's office said Rex was put down because he was diagnosed with Lyme disease and was in kidney failure.

Rex was a 7-year-old Belgian malinois and German shepherd mix. He'd been with the sheriff's office since 2021.

Rex worked and lived with Sgt. Ben Stout.

"K-9 Rex was a valuable asset with the Sheriff's Office and for the residents of Polk County. He was trained in narcotic detection, apprehension, and tracking," a news release from the sheriff's office said.

"Thank you K-9 Rex for your service. You will be missed."

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