K9 Kai has only been with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department for less than a year, but he’s quickly becoming a prominent member of the team. The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois was a part-time K9, so he assisted in drug fighting and patrolling.
But sadly, Kai’s hard work is stopped when he is seriously injured on the job. When Kai and his handler, Cpl. Aaron Carlyle responds to the situation where the suspect has a gun; Kai was shot and taken to the emergency vet. The brave dog refused to stop fighting.
Suspect Shoots Brave K9
On May 24, 2022, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department responded to an incident in the country when a man armed with a handgun threatened a woman. The armed suspect fled the scene before Kai and police officers arrived. So K9 officers and the ministry’s aviation unit tracked down the man.
The division located the suspect in a wooded area. The officers approached the man with Kai at their side. But before the police could get too close, the man opened fire, and Kai jumped out of the way. When the suspect’s bullet hit Kai, one of the officers fired at the man in response.
RELATED: K9 police track missing, endangered person through frozen forest
The suspect was revealed to be a 17-year-old man named Levi Bryan, who survived the incident and was taken to the hospital. Kai was taken to the vet, where he is in stable condition despite some bullet wounds.
“He was a hero to me and the officers who were on the track that night because he did the laps for us,” said Cpl. Carlyle said. “And he never faltered in his work.”
Kai doesn’t give up
Bryan has received a number of charges, including one of harming a law enforcement animal. Fortunately, Kai survived the traumatic incident, but his road to recovery has not been easy. When the police officers took him to the vet, they performed as much first aid as possible, which could have bought him some extra time.
Kai has several bullet wounds, he needs blood and plasma transfusions, and has a hole in one of his lungs. Then the vets decided that they had to amputate his leg to maintain his quality of life. Kai stayed at the emergency vet for weeks to fully recover, but now, he’s finally home with Cpl. Carlyle.
RELATED: K9 officer is greeted by a hero after surviving a bullet to the head
“This week Kai underwent surgery that we are happy to announce was a success,” the Gwinnett Police Department announced. “He is currently at home and in the care of his manager, Cpl. Carlyle. “
Kai is currently doing physical therapy as he is used to his missing leg. Cpl. Carlyle says that although Kai won’t be returning to work, the puppy will still live with him and be spoiled like crazy. Kai’s time as a K9 officer may have been brief, but he’s made such a big impact.
Featured pictures: Facebook
