Lake Mary police dog bites puppy at an animal hospital
A Lake Mary police dog jumped on a Goldendoodle puppy at an animal hospital and bit its neck, causing a deep puncture wound, according to witnesses and a police report.
“We appreciate everyone’s concern,” William Hefley, the Goldendoodle's owner, said, reading a prepared statement. “We just want Milo to get healthy and recover from this unfortunate incident. We ask that you keep Milo in your thoughts and prayers.”
He did not want to answer any other questions about the incident or his puppy’s condition. A Lake Mary police report stated that a veterinarian said Milo “appeared in good health and was energetic” Monday, a day after the attack.
Rex, the 18-month-old Lake Mary police dog, was obtained by the department in May and is in training to become a K-9 officer, police officials said.
About 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Rex managed to unlatch the door to an outdoor cage and ran over to Milo, who was being led outside by a staff member at the Lake Emma Animal Hospital, 645 Primera Blvd., according to a Lake Mary police report.
Rex was kenneled at the animal hospital Friday because his handler, Lake Mary Officer Robert Ritter, was on vacation, according to police. Rex was scheduled to be picked up Monday, officials said. However, it’s not clear when Milo was brought to the animal hospital, or why he was being treated at the facility. Hospital officials called Ritter soon after the attack.
Meanwhile, veterinarian Dr. John Dee told Hefley that he placed Milo on antibiotics but advised against suturing the wound on the dog’s neck because of the risk of infection, according to the report.
On Wednesday, Rex was back in K-9 officer training, Lake Mary Police officials said.
The training includes about 400 hours of patrol training and another 200 hours of drug training, Officer Robert Judges said.
“This will not be the deciding factor on whether or not [Rex] will go full-time with the Lake Mary Police Department,” he said in an email. “The deciding factor is how K-9 Rex performs in training.”