A Washington police dog has died after he ingested powdered crystal meth during a massive bust that led to 44 pounds of narcotics being seized by authorities . Barney was serving a search warrant with his handler , Tacoma police officer Henry Betts , when he accidentally inhaled the methamphetamine and became sick . The 11-year-old Labrador mix had a body temperature of 109 and was having seizures when he was brought to BluePearl Veterinary Hospital on Tuesday night . Barney , 11 , is dead after he ingested powdered crystal meth during a drug bust in Tacoma , Washington . Barney was serving a search warrant when he accidentally inhaled the methamphetamine and became sick . Barney was becoming more alert and responsive by Wednesday morning and doctors and doctors were 'cautiously optimistic ' that he would make a full recovery . He died on Thursday . Officer Betts and Barney had been partnered up since 2010 . Betts said : 'He 's a phenomenal dog . 'Really just incredible . ' Narcotics dogs usually signal when drugs are present by placing their noses on the substance . Barney put his sniffer on the unwrapped drugs and came in direct contact with the meth , Q13 Fox reported . Dr. Kobi Johnson said : `` Methamphetamines are extremely toxic to dogs . ' As a result of the canine 's courageous actions , three men were arrested . Samuel Tafolla Hernandez , 39 , Thomas Servantes Diaz , 34 , and Jose Mauricio Lozano-Miranda , 38 , were all charged Wednesday with unlawful possession of a controlled substance . Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said : 'This is one of the biggest drug busts we 've seen in Pierce County in the last decade . ' In addition to the meth , officers found $ 225,000 concealed in a book case during the bust . The men are scheduled to make their initial court appearance Thursday afternoon .
Labrador mix Barney ingested meth during bust in Tacoma , Washington . Dog was having seizures and had temperature of 109 after sniffing drugs . Doctors were hoping the 11 -- year-old would recover , but he did n't make it . Three charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance after bust .