Wounded K-9 Released from Local Clinic

A four-legged hero is going home today.

Bodie, a Sacramento Police Department dog who was shot twice by a suspected car thief last week in Land Park, was released Friday afternoon from the VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center near Rosemont.

Bodie, an 80-pound four-year-old German Shepherd, emerged from the veterinary clinic around 5 p.m. to a crowd of law enforcement officers, local media and well-wishers.  Though he was hobbling slightly due to a cast on his front right leg, the wounded police dog seemed in good spirits as he was led from the clinic to a waiting patrol car.

He was accompanied by Sgt. Steve Oliveira, supervisor for the police department's K-9 unit.  Oliveira said he's confident Bodie will recover to full strength.

"The entire department is excited that he's made progress in his recovery," said Oliveira.  "We have no doubt he'll be back on the streets by the end of the year."

According to the Sacramento Bee, Bodie was shot twice last Friday while pursuing a suspect near Broadway and 24th Street.  The police dog was hit twice in the left jaw and once in his right front paw by the fleeing suspect, who was then shot by police officers and was declared dead at the scene.