POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — A former military dog shot and killed by a bicyclist who says the dog attacked him has been buried with military honors in Powell.

The ceremony on Wednesday commemorated the life and service of the 9-year-old dog named Michael that reached the rank of major in the U.S. Army for his work sniffing out explosive devices in Iraq.

Michael later became a service animal for his handler, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bessler, of Powell, after the two were discharged.

Bessler spoke of the dog during the ceremony as his "brother, protector, co-pilot and best friend."

Michael was fatally shot on Oct. 10 near Bessler's rural Powell home.

A police investigation concluded the facts support the cyclist's account that he acted in self-defense.

 

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