Quanto remembered with plaque at RCMP headquarters

Edmontons most famous police dog who died in the line of duty was remembered Wednesday with a memorial plaque.

Quanto, a German Shepherd who served with the EPS canine unit, died one year ago after he was stabbed by a suspect fleeing from police.

The plaque erected Wednesday at the K Division RCMP headquarters in Edmonton sits about 100 metres from where Quanto was stabbed.

Police dogs are loyal partners who do what is asked of them. A year ago today, Quanto did what was asked and died because of it, said RCMP Deputy Comm. Marianne Ryan in a statement.

Quantos death was a loss felt by the entire Canadian police community across Canada, and particularly here at K Division where it hit very close to home.

The dogs death also spurred calls to change legislation protecting service animals. The proposed law would make it a crimeto harm or kill a police dog in the line of duty.Currently the strongest charge that can be laid is cruelty to an animal.

• 'Quanto's Law' would increase penalties for harming police dogs
• Quanto's death spurs call for more protective gear
• Quanto's law brings closure after police dog's death, say police

PaulVukmanich, the man who killed Quanto, has beencharged with several criminal offences related to the incident including animal cruelty and has been sentenced to 26 months in prison.