LOGAN — A Cache County K9 service dog died this week during surgery to remove an infection caused by Foxtail weeds.

Storm, a 2-year-old Malinois, joined the Cache County Sheriff’s Office team in 2017, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

On Tuesday, Storm and his deputy handler attended an event where they demonstrated their skills to the public.

By Wednesday morning, Storm’s handler had noticed in a change in the dog’s behavior and he was taken to the Cache Meadow Veterinarian Clinic. An exam revealed that Storm had fluid around his lungs and in his chest, and the dog was taken to Advance Care Clinic in Salt Lake City for immediate care, the release said.

Storm’s x-rays revealed that the dog had inhaled or ingested Foxtail weeds, which have barbed seed heads.

“The danger with Foxtail are the seeds do not break down once inside the body and can cause massive infection,” the release said.

Storm died during surgery to remove the infected areas and any remaining seeds.

“Both veterinarians said our handler caught this in the early stages and were optimistic Storm would be able to return to duty. It was a very unexpected circumstance that he passed away during surgery,” Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen said in the release.

Jensen said pet owners should check their pet’s skin, hair, inside the ears and nose, around the mouth and in their teeth for Foxtail weed seeds. If there’s redness or swelling, owners shoulder remove the seeds and contact their veterinarian.

A memorial service for Storm is planned.

Storm is the second Cache County K9 that died in the last year.

Endy, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, died of heat exhaustion July 3, 2017, after he was left in a car for 11 hours.

His handler, Deputy Jason Whittier, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and one year of probation after pleading no contest to a class B misdemeanor for aggravated cruelty to an animal.