A French police dog has been honored on social media after the official Police Nationale Twitter profile reported that she had been killed during the Saint Denis raid. Diesel, a seven year old Belgian Malinois, died taking part in an operation to apprehend the suspected mastermind of last week’s Daesh-coordinated attacks in Paris.
Eight people were reportedly arrested during the raid, with five police officers injured. As conflicting reports emerge, it is unclear whether Abdelhamid Abaaoud—the Belgian mastermind suspected of planning the Paris attacks—was killed.
During the raid, a female suicide bomber reportedly detonated her explosives, although it is unclear whether that is what killed Diesel. Social media erupted with the hashtag #JeSuisChien with people paying their respects for the fallen police dog.
#JeSuisChien Thank you for your heroism, ultimate sacrifice and bravery! You are a true hero!
— Jay Ward (@jay_jaystar93) November 18, 2015Run free Diesel. May your bed always be warm and your dish always full. Run free hero dog, Defender of France #JeSuisChien #JeSuisParis
— Steve Limmer Lim (@LimmerEd) November 18, 2015Thank you Diesel. All Dogs Go To Heaven #JeSuisChien
— spc (@sweetgreek23) November 18, 2015As was to be expected, there were also those who criticised the hashtag, suggesting that people care more about an animal’s life than a human’s.
why do some people care more about a dog dying that 1000s of innocent Syrians #JeSuisChien
— lynsey (@topdownIiam) November 18, 2015#jesuischien What about the "people" killed in #NigeriaAttack today?! Why doesn't the media care abut them?! #PrayForParis #ParisAttacks
— د. خالد عبيد العتيبي (@khaledob) November 18, 2015
