Southaven police said retired police dog Ziggy, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, died Saturday, May 16, 2026, at home in the company of his former handler and family.
The Southaven Police Department said Ziggy served as a patrol and explosive-detection K-9 from 2018 to 2024 and previously worked as a Military Working Dog with the Army Ranger Battalion. The department said he developed a reputation for speed, strength and ferocity while locating suspects and assisting with explosive sweeps.
The department highlighted a notable incident on Aug. 7, 2020, when Ziggy tracked three people who fled from a stolen vehicle and were suspected of several auto burglaries. Within an hour, Ziggy tracked all three and helped apprehend two; the third surrendered, the department said.
The department said Ziggy also provided mutual aid for explosive sweeps in DeSoto County when requested by surrounding agencies. After retirement in 2024, Ziggy lived with his former handler and family. The department asked the public to keep his handler and family in their thoughts and prayers and said it will provide more information as it becomes available.
