Wounded Police Dog Returns To A Hero's Welcome

Thurston County Sheriff's police dog Arlo has returned home after surviving being shot during a police chase and then multiple surgeries by veterinarians in Oregon.

The chase happened Wednesday night as deputies pursued an armed driver along I-5 south into Grand Mound. In the moments after the chase ended, gunfire erupted leaving both the suspect and Arlo wounded.

Arlo suffered a shot to his leg and another bullet that went into his shoulder and neck. He was rushed to a local veterinarian clinic where he had surgery to be stabilized, but it was discovered that one of the bullets was still lodged in Arlo near his spine.

A second surgery was scheduled with veterinary specialists at Oregon State University in Corvallis, and Lacey fighters gave him a medical transport Thursday ahead of surgery on Friday.

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, Thurston County Sheriff's officials said. They also removed bone fragments from his spine and surrounding areas. Arlo now has 6 screws in his neck, but some bullet fragments had to be left behind that veterinarians say were too dangerous to reach but should not pose a threat.

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 spent a few days recuperating at the hospital, then was brought back home via police escort to Thurston County.

"Nearly the entire trip home K-9 Arlo and Deputy Turpin had a Police Escort with lights and sirens, starting from OSU by the OSU PD," deputies wrote. "When Deputy Turpin and K-9 Arlo arrived home, they were greeted by neighbors, friends, firefighters, fellow K-9 handlers from multiple organizations from local and surrounding counties and a multitude of law enforcement officers from all local agencies and surrounding county and police agencies. It was quite humbling! Arlo is currently at home resting with his family."