You can tell if you look at the picture that the deputy did in fact talk to the dogs, and the dogs talked back. He's a dog man, and he's got those fellas' full and complete confidence. He's probably telling them that Dad is o.k. and going to be fine, and that they're brave and wonderful dogs for saving his life. And the dogs are saying, "Hey, no hard feelings! We LIKE you."
. . . so much better than resorting to shooting them when they try to protect their master!