Holly MatkinPickens County, SC – A Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) K9 was fatally shot on Sunday evening after he bit down on a deputy and refused to let go, according to his department.
The incident occurred at a GCSO deputy’s home in Pickens County on May 21, WHNS reported.
BCSO Lieutenant Ryan Flood said the two-and-one-half-year-old K9 was staying with another experienced K9 handler while his primary handler was attending a training out of town, according to WYFF.
The deputy was in the midst of a non-training activity with the young Belgian Malinois on Sunday evening when the police dog suddenly latched on to him unexpectedly, Lt. Flood said.
Police did not specify where on his body the deputy was bitten.
Lt. Flood said the deputy repeatedly ordered the K9 to release, but the dog continued to clamp down firmly, WYFF reported.
Witnesses tried to pull the dog off of the injured deputy, but those attempts also failed.
One of the deputy’s family members, who happened to live nearby, ultimately ran over and shot the police dog in order to help the deputy, Lt. Flood told WYFF.
The K9 was fatally wounded.
The deputy was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Lt. Flood said the deputy “is expected to recover after some time,” WYFF reported.
The lieutenant said it is standard practice at the GCSO for another experienced K9 handler to care for a K9 if its primary handler is away or is otherwise unable to do so.
The GCSO Officer of Professional Standards was notified about the incident and is reviewing the case, WYFF reported.
The identity of the K9 was not immediately released.
It is unclear what triggered the K9 to bite down on its handler.
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Sandy Malone