Butler police dog Gunner introduces himself to Aaron Brown, 9, of Highfield at a spaghetti dinner benefit at Tanglewood Center in 2014.

The Butler City Police Department's only police dog died over the weekend.

Gunner, the department's 7-year-old canine, was euthanized early Friday morning, according to Police Chief Bob O'Neill. The dog last assisted in an arrest on Christmas Eve, but he fell ill last Thursday. O'Neill said medical issues, not foul play, was to blame.

Lt. Brian Grooms, who leads the department's canine unit and handled Gunner, was not available to comment Monday.

“He certainly is feeling the loss,” O'Neill said.

Gunner joined the department in 2012, according to O'Neill. His death brings the department's canine staff down to zero. It once had two.

“Their potential on a scene even outweighs what they can do,” O'Neill said. “Just their presence is like having four extra officers on hand.”

O'Neill said Monday that he'd like to replace Gunner with not one, but two additional police dogs.

Doing so anytime soon would likely require community fundraising outside of the police's regular budget. The department generally solicits donations for canine units through the city. Such donations ought to be earmarked for the canine unit fund.

O'Neill said he would provide further information about fundraising efforts as they are established.