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Posted on 08/18/2026 12:12:17 PM PDT by MtnClimber
The 7-year-old German shepherd walked out of veterinary care under his own power to thunderous applause.
Less than a week after being shot and losing a leg while protecting three deputies, heroic Florida K-9 Ace was back on his feet Tuesday for an emotional return to the sheriff's office.
Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd who has served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office since March 2020, was wounded as deputies attempted to arrest 27-year-old Angel Bowers.
Authorities said Bowers allegedly fired at least four rounds at three deputies who were attempting to arrest him after he failed to appear in court. Bowers was killed by deputies at the scene.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace protected the three deputies from Bowers but was shot in his left front leg, shattering the bone and tearing an artery that caused massive blood loss.
Ace's partner and handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, treated his wounds and carried him to safety, according to the sheriff's office.
Ace was rushed to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, where he was stabilized before a Tampa General Hospital Aeromed helicopter transported him to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch. Veterinarians there performed a several-hour surgery to amputate his left front leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff's office posted video showing deputies arriving at the veterinary medical center to greet an energetic Ace as he prepared to return home.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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I bet the perp got shot alot. Maybe mag dumps after changing mags.
Heroe bears are the problem, they see the gun, they know what it can do, they calculate their odds and know the risks, but they man up and charge you anyway, I don’t know where they get the courage, but it is just like the humans who charge the beaches at Normandy.
“Mag dumps” were too kind!
I would have been happy with one shot—in each of the SOB’s knees, followed by LONG march to the police station!
pretty sure the dog should have a disability or workers comp claim, not be forced to work 3 days after losing his leg.
this is animal abuse.
if you disagree please show me any case in the last 100 years where a human officer has been forced to return to work 3 days after losing his/her leg in the line of duty.
Presumably it was Bowers who was dead, and not the stolen handgun.
Try some decafe.
God Bless this hero pup and ALL of these hero K-9’s who put their lives on the line everyday
He’s been retired - per the article.
it’s likely the dog will be retired, and his handler will take care of the dog at his house for the rest of the dog’s life ...
I believe these dogs clearly understand that they are bad asses.
“”this is animal abuse.
if you disagree please show me any case in the last 100 years where a human officer has been forced to return to work 3 days after losing his/her leg in the line of duty.””
***
Ahem.... it says right there in the article that the dog, Ace, will retire and be cared for.
“Judd said Oestreich will spend time with Ace as he continues to recover before she returns to work. Ace, however, will retire from law enforcement.
“Chill out and enjoy your retirement Ace,” Judd said.
The sheriff’s office also honored Ace in a social media post, writing, “His days of chasing bad guys may be over, but Ace will always be one of our heroes!
Polk Sheriff’s Charities Inc. has established a K-9 fund to help support Ace’s care. The sheriff’s office said those interested in helping can donate directly to the fund through the organization’s website.””
Angel Bowers was killed by deputies at the scene.
Officer Goodboy. Fur missile.
Angel Bowers was killed by deputies at the scene.
Don’t think anybody will break the 167 round fusillade Polk Company put on a dirt bag they found during a manhunt about ten years ago. He had killed a deputy and his K-9 after a traffic stop on I-4.
Heroe bears are the problem, they see the gun, they know what it can do, they calculate their odds and know the risks, but they man up and charge you anyway.....
============================================================Uh, not sure how they “know” what a gun will do. I would imagine, the number of bears that actually see a gun being used on one of their own is very small.
A lot more common is animals getting killed in traffic. I can tell you that a lot of animals who should “know” what cars/trucks can do, cross the road anyway (w/o being careful).
I was making a point about “hero” police dogs, I think of them as being good dogs, or well-trained dogs, smart dogs, but I’m not so sure about how much inner heroism is involved.
Very likely this pooch will be getting a custom prosthetic. Many pets do fine without but this dog is used to being active and athletic.
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