Post by Currmudgeon on Dec 1, 2003 11:42:52 GMT -5
CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. (AP)
A police dog that almost died after biting its own tongue, injuring a major vein, is back on all four paws after a short stay in the hospital.
Officer Badge, a 16-month-old German shepherd, was injured Nov. 7 in a training exercise working on bark and bite commands. The bleeding worsened and a hematoma developed, Officer Scott Daniels said.
The dog was rushed to Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital in Ithaca, N.Y., where veterinarians found that Badge has Factor 8 deficiency, a rare genetic blood disorder found in German shepherds.
Chief Robert Gerrity acknowledges that the $3,400 treatment took a toll on the department's K-9 unit fund. Although doctors debated whether to put Badge down and a number of families were willing to adopt the dog, those in the department felt he ought to return to duty, said his handler, Officer Paul Wolfe.
"They said taking him completely out of service would be emotionally detrimental," said Wolfe, who added that police dogs removed from service can become depressed or aggressive. "He'll do what he's always done. I'm just more mindful of his surroundings."
Badge is expected to return to the beat.
www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10594052&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6
A police dog that almost died after biting its own tongue, injuring a major vein, is back on all four paws after a short stay in the hospital.
Officer Badge, a 16-month-old German shepherd, was injured Nov. 7 in a training exercise working on bark and bite commands. The bleeding worsened and a hematoma developed, Officer Scott Daniels said.
The dog was rushed to Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital in Ithaca, N.Y., where veterinarians found that Badge has Factor 8 deficiency, a rare genetic blood disorder found in German shepherds.
Chief Robert Gerrity acknowledges that the $3,400 treatment took a toll on the department's K-9 unit fund. Although doctors debated whether to put Badge down and a number of families were willing to adopt the dog, those in the department felt he ought to return to duty, said his handler, Officer Paul Wolfe.
"They said taking him completely out of service would be emotionally detrimental," said Wolfe, who added that police dogs removed from service can become depressed or aggressive. "He'll do what he's always done. I'm just more mindful of his surroundings."
Badge is expected to return to the beat.
www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10594052&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6