A K9 dog in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is recovering in hospital after a blood transfusion, following a shooting incidence on October 14. The blood was donated by the vet’s own dog, Dwyer, who has been lauded as a hero by the local police force.
On Saturday morning, officers from the Fond du Lac Police Department were called out to a disturbance “involving weapons” on the 500 block of Drury Place, the local sheriff’s office said in a statement. Upon arrival, gunfire was exchanged between officers and a “male subject” at the scene.
“The subject sustained injuries and first aid was rendered,” the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. “The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other members of the public or law enforcement were injured during the incident. A Sheriff’s Office canine was [also] shot and seriously wounded during the incident.”
The K9 was immediately transported to a veterinary hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the K9 required an urgent blood transfusion. Luckily, a yellow Labrador, owned by one of the hospital’s veterinary technicians, had a matching blood type and was able to donate his blood to the wounded K9.
“The transfusion worked, and blood counts rose to levels needed to undergo this important surgery,” the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said. “[He] remains in serious but stable condition after undergoing a lengthy surgery this afternoon.”
As of Tuesday evening, the K9 was showing positive signs of recovery. “He’s tired but he’s awake, visually tracks his handler/partner around the room, and remains stable with no major setbacks,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook update. “He even got a ride outside on his hospital bed for a little fresh air for a few minutes today! He is by no means out of the woods, but he’s a young, healthy, strong dog and his team of specialists are doing everything they can to help him.”
The sheriff’s office thanked everyone for their support and donations to the dog’s recovery. “Your Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office K9 program is 100 percent donor funded,” they said. “We will continue to provide future updates on our deputy K9, and again, we are truly humbled by all the support. We can’t say ‘THANK YOU’ enough.”
