Fans and creatives behind the canine detective series "Hudson & Rex" are mourning the death of its four-legged star.
The production company behind the police procedural says eight-year-old Diesel succumbed to cancer last August, partway through shooting the seventh season, now airing on Citytv.
Executive producer Christina Jennings addressed the news on the show's official Instagram page, describing the German shepherd as "a true star with an undeniable sense of majesty."
Jennings, president of Shaftesbury, says Diesel's nephews have taken over the role of the police K9 based in St. John’s, N.L.
Diesel appeared in more than 100 episodes of the show, which stars John Reardon as Det. Charlie Hudson. He's in the first two episodes of the new season, which aired Jan. 14 and 21.
Diesel's owner and handler, Sherri Davis, thanked fans for their support in an Instagram post, expressing "emptiness and heartbreak."
"My boy is a legacy and will live on in our hearts, memories, and on the screen," Davis said in a statement posted Wednesday to the teamrexk9 account.
"Diesel appreciated all the love from the fans, and was always happy to go to the meet and greets to engage with you, the fans, that made my boy a legend never to be forgotten."
Davis said Diesel's death was very unexpected, sharing additional details in a statement provided to The Canadian Press by Shaftesbury.
One day before they were supposed to head to set, she noticed "his eyes just looked different" and she knew something was wrong.
She rushed him to an emergency vet and learned his spleen had ruptured and that he needed emergency surgery. Diesel survived and regained his mobility, and seemed to do well with rehab. But he died four and a half weeks later, said Davis, an executive producer on the show.
"I shared Rex/Diesel with the world, but he shared a part of my soul. He was my partner. He was with me 24-7 for seven years. He never left my side. I never went anywhere without that dog. So, you know, it's heartbreaking."
Diesel's nephews, Dillon and Dante, had already been in training for the role and took over his duties immediately, she said. Diesel's other nephews, Is-He and Iko, continue to perform as stunt doubles.
Although the show used several dogs to create each episode's feats, Davis said Diesel was "the face of the show" and "is the legacy."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025.
Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press
