A bullet shattered one of his vertebra , but surgeons were able-bodied to save the German shepherd ’s life . gratefully , he ’s now at dwelling house looking at an early retirement .
A Washington K-9 officer who was fool on responsibility last calendar month was cover to a gay welcome - base celebration after surgeons save up his life history . Now , he ’s receiving an award for his courage .
Arlo , a K-9 officer with the Thurston County sheriff ’s office who you might know from his popularTikTok chronicle , was shoot doubly Jan. 13 when he and his handler were involved in a shot with a defendant , authority said .
Courtesy of Thurston County-Sheriff
After receiving initial intervention in Washington , the dog was take to Oregon State University ’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine for operation . KGW8reportsthat Arlo had only a 60 percent chance of survival after the bullets shattered his C6 vertebra , lodged near his spine , and injured one of his wooden leg .
" It ’s a miracle that Arlo ’s still alive , " orthopedical veterinary sawbones Jen Warnock tell KGW8 . " … The bullet missed an artery that would ’ve bolt down him by a millimeter ; it could ’ve destroyed his carotid artery . He ’s unlucky but prosperous at the same time . "
Warnock was the surgeon who mend the damage to Arlo ’s vertebrae . She secernate KGW8 that the shoulder where the bullet did the most damage is where he ’s weakest , but by Sunday he wasoutside and discharge strong-arm therapy .
The Monday after the shooting was the happiest Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , however , because Arlo got to go home . Ina video posted to Facebook , policeman line the entryway of the infirmary to see him limp out of the hospital , offer up him a flaccid chorus of " good son . "
Officers and firefighters , presumably from nearby legal power , block up on main road overpasses to extend protection to the 3 - yr - oldGerman shepherdas his car drove on the highway under them . He arrived home to even more fanfare , flock of first responders were there to receive him back with flashing lights and a celebratory " Welcome Home , Arlo " sign in his front yard .
On Thursday , the American Kennel Club announced that Arlo would encounter its 2021 AKC Paw of Courage honor , which is give to dogs who honorably swear out their community .
" K9 Arlo of the Thurston County Sheriff ’s Department is a shining example of the dedication , self-sacrifice and loyalty that working dogs demo in the seam of obligation , " AKC Executive Secretary , Gina DiNardo said in a instruction . " He risks his life each and every mean solar day to protect his community and we are abide by to recognize him with a Paw of Courage award . We wish him a speedy retrieval as he heals from his recent injury . "
So far , a GoFundMe pagehas elevate more than $ 73,000 to help give for Arlo ’s medical bills . ( The Thurston County K-9 program is funded through donation . )
" K-9 Arlo and I ca n’t convey the amount of gratitude we have for everyone that has helped us with this journey , " Deputy Tyler Turpin , his coach , write on TikTok . " I ’m not embarrassed to recount you that I ’ve cried so much . "
The pup has more than 1.2 million following on the video - sharing app , and the most late mail service about his recovery have each receive millions of views . Arlo earned his K-9 certification in 2019 .
" He ’s an awing dog , " K-9 unit of measurement supervisory program Sgt . Rod Ditrich differentiate KGW8 . " He ’s just so enthusiastic , and he ’s one of our most outspoken , energetic frump that we ’ve produce — he just is always glad , wants to please , just an amazing animal . Super easy to prepare . He lives for the job — that ’s all he want to do is please Deputy Turpin and perform the job of a police K-9 . "
KGW8 reports that he will likely be unable to return to fighting duty because of his injury . He ’s also at greater risk of infection of suffering fromarthritis . gratefully , Turpin should be able to adopt him and keep him as a pet , the TV station report .
