Russia Gives Puppy to France to Honor Police Dog Killed in Raid

As a tribute to Diesel, the police dog who was killed during an apartment raid following the Paris attacks, Russia has offered to send France a new puppy named Dobrynya. Russia’s interior minister, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, sent a letter to his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve, offering words of support, along with the intention to give the French police force a new puppy to replace Diesel.

According to AFP, Kolokoltsev said he was offering the puppy as “a sign of solidarity with the people and police of France,” and it “will be able to occupy the place in service of the police dog Diesel killed during a special operation to neutralise terrorists.” The two-month-old puppy is named after Russian folk hero, Dobrynya Nikitch, who was known for his bravery and strength. He will have to undergo medical checks and quarantine before going to his new home in France.

Diesel was a seven-year-old Malinois dog who had been with the force for five years. He was set to retire in just a few months when he was killed in the shootout in St. Denis.