COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — A deputy marshal in southern Arizona fatally shot his K-9 partner after the animal latched onto his leg and would not let go.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office responded to a call Tuesday morning at the Tombstone Marshal’s Office where they found a deputy marshal in an upstairs bathroom with his deceased K-9 partner outside the door.
The deputy told CCSO he was working the night shift with Hawk, the K-9, when the dog bit the handler's leg at one point. The deputy reported trying to use a bathroom door to separate himself from the dog but the animal would not let go, CCSO said.
The deputy eventually used his duty weapon to fire a shot at Hawk, killing the dog. The deputy was taken to a Tucson hospital for treatment of his leg injuries.
The sheriff's office said the agency is continuing its investigation into the incident and will be consulting a subject matter expert from Tucson to assist on the case.
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