A police dog came home to a lot of love and support after surviving a gunshot and multiple surgeries in Oregon, according to KOMO.
The K-9, Arlo, works for the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and was hurt on the job last Wednesday night during a chase, officials said. Deputies were pursuing an armed driver along I-5 in Grand Mound. Moments after the chase ended, Arlo and the suspect were wounded during an exchange of gunfire.
Arlo was shot in his leg, shoulder and neck. The K-9 was rushed to a local veterinarian clinic where he had surgery to be stabilized. Veterinarians found a bullet still lodged in Arlo near his spine. Arlo underwent a second surgery with veterinary specialists at Oregon State University in Corvallis.
"After a fever of 104 degrees was brought under control, surgeons removed the bullet from near his spine and fused his C-5, C-6 and C-7 Vertebrae together with screws and cement, reporters said.
As for his leg wound, deputies said: "When they cleaned and inspected the bullet wound in the other leg, they were amazed at the lack of injury, saying that the bullet missed K-9 Arlo’s knee by less than a centimeter and that if it had hit the knee, amputation would have been likely."
Arlo recovered at the hospital for a few days before his police escort home back to Thurston County. When authorities arrived with the dog-of-the-hour, neighbors, friends, firefighters, law enforcement officials and more greeted them with flashing lights and more for a "humbling" experience, authorities said. You can watch the video of it below:
Deputies say Arlo's injuries to his neck and shoulders will leave him with arthritis and thus we will not be returning to active duty. He's currently resting with his family at home, they added.
Photo: Getty Images