Fort Lauderdale K-9 cop survives after being shot while chasing burglary suspect
.jpeg "One of Appie’s upper front legs was shattered in two places.")
Newly released video shows the moment a Fort Lauderdale K-9 officer was shot while pursuing a burglary suspect, followed by the handler’s emotional exchange with his dog while driving him to the emergency clinic.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department released footage detailing how the officers captured the suspect, Christian Bouie.
Officers searched a home on Saturday night near 1600 NW 16th Court for Bouie.
“FLPD, show yourself,” an officer called out.
It took officers more than an hour to approach Bouie with the help of a SWAT team and heat-sensor cameras attached to a helicopter.
“Yeah, we have him. He’s in a tree,” a pilot can be heard saying.
That’s when the K-9, Appie, went to work. Police say Bouie shot the dog, shattering one of his upper front legs in two places.
The K-9 handler rushed Appie to an emergency clinic, sharing an emotional moment in the car.
“My dog has been shot,” the K-9 handler said. “Buddy, I love you. I love you, bud.”
After a five-hour surgery, Appie received a hero’s welcome back home.
“Today, we celebrate not just survival, but heroism,” Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bill Schultz said. “Appie, he is, and always will be our canine hero.”
Another K-9 helped take down Bouie. The department is weighing whether Appie will return to duty.
This report was produced by Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.