Police dog wounded in shooting is back home with handler
GARY, Ind. (AP) – A police dog wounded last week by gunfire following a Gary traffic stop is back with his handler following two surgeries.
Lake County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Mark Back says the 6-year-old Dutch shepherd, named Blade, was released over the weekend from the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital in West Lafayette.
Blade underwent two surgeries for a gunshot wound to his head and mouth and is now back home with the Lake County sheriff’s officer who’s his handler.
That officer stopped a vehicle on Jan. 18 in Gary, but the driver and passenger fled on foot.
Police say the officer and Blade pursued the passenger, 18-year-old Marquis Thomas, who wounded Blade when he opening fire during the pursuit.
The officer returned fire, wounding Thomas. He died Thursday at a Chicago hospital.