Updated Thursday, 8 p.m.
WSB-TV reports Lakota is doing well after surgery to repair two broken legs and is expected to make a full recovery. The police dog also suffered broken ribs, bruised lungs and internal bleeding.
His handler also continues recovery in a hospital.
Original Report
For Cartersville resident and former K9 deputy Chris Day, it’s all about lending assistance to a fellow officer in a time of need.
The now Doraville Police Department K9 officer several months ago began the Support Police K9’s Facebook page, which already has nearly 1,400 "likes," and now he’s using it to raise money for an officer injured in an on-duty car crash.
“I’m doing it just to help another officer out,” Day said. “He got in a bad car wreck, but he’s going to recover pretty well.”
Clayton County Police Officer Travis Fox and partner, Lakota, were involved in the accident Monday while en route to the scene of suspected home invasion, according to WSB-TV. Both were ejected from the police cruiser.
Day said Clayton County has relieved the 5-year-old German Shepherd of his police dog duties. Lakota is being cared for at University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a shattered leg and a second, severely broken leg, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
To help raise money for the family now responsible for Lakota’s vet bills, which Day said will total $3,000, and continuing care, he is using his Facebook page to auction donated items.
In the photo album titled K9 Lakota Auction, Day is accepting bids on the donated items and all the money goes directly to Fox’s wife, Corey. The organizations and businesses donating the items then mail the goods directly to the winning bidders.
Corey Fox on Monday posted to her company's website an update on Lakota's condition—while internal bleeding had been stopped, Lakota's shattered back, right leg would be amputated. The dog also may be suffering from a hip fracture in addition to the severely broken back, left leg.
"Officer Fox experienced severe but not life-threatening injuries and is expecting a full recovery," she said, adding Lakota served as a police dog for four years and successfully performed 80 apprehensions.
While donations are accepted via the company's website, those for Lakota's medical care can be made to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine’s GRACE Fund, a canine emergency fund, via www.vet.uga.edu/GO/grace, according to AJC. Checks also can be mailed to the UGA College of Vet Med Development Office, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602.
Lakota may need a ramp at the Fox home, in addition to a special bed and wheelchair, according to the newspaper.
