Baltimore, MD - Whether it’s sniffing out a bomb or tracking down a wanted suspect, police canines can be invaluable to law enforcement agencies., and witnesses to Sunday’s shooting appeared to be just as concerned for an injured police dog than they were for their own safety.
"I poke my head out the back window just in time to see the dog kind of move towards the guy,” said a witness, David Reuben, “The guy freaked out and shot the dog."
That “guy” turned out to be a police officer.
When a man drove through a speed checkpoint, raced up a hill in front of Lakewood Elementary/Middle School and then abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot between a pair of row homes in the dark of night, a canine officer ordered her German shepherd named “Blade” to pursue the suspect.
Police Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says she had no idea another officer had circled around back.
"Blade, under the direction of his handler, attacked that officer in an attempt to apprehend him. The officer didn't realize it was a police dog so he fired a defensive shot."
Other officers scooped up the injured animal and drove it to the Falls Road Animal Hospital where veterinarians learned the bullet had passed through its mouth and into its shoulder.
"He's a tough guy,” said Dr. Keisha Adkins, “My goodness. He's on his pain medication and he's enjoying that. He's a tough, tough fellow. He'll be back up and around soon."
Blade is expected to be released from the animal hospital in the next few days, but that won't be the end of it.
We're told he'll be transported to an oral surgeon to fix a tooth broken off in the shooting including a root canal, and he'll receive a titanium cap.
Canine handlers are responsible for their care 24/7, and Blade’s officer spent hours at his side following the surgery.
Blade’s handler has spent the last four years training the dog.
We’re told canines with his experience are valued at about $12,000.
