Tulsa Police dog shot in armed robbery recovering

The Tulsa K-9 officer that got injured in Wednesday night's armed robbery-shooting, is a five-year-old German Shepard that's been on the department for four years. <br><br>News on Six crime reporter

Thursday, September 26th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa K-9 officer that got injured in Wednesday night's armed robbery-shooting, is a five-year-old German Shepard that's been on the department for four years.

News on Six crime reporter Lori Fullbright says Shane Thomas released his partner, Rex, to chase down the robbery suspects. Before Rex could get his man, the suspect turned and shot him. This evening, Rex is one lucky officer.

Rex and Shane Thomas have been partners for four years, they search dark alleys and buildings together, they train together and live together, they are best of friends, who take care of one another. Thursday, a day after the shooting, Rex is recovering from a 45-minute late night surgery to repair his right leg.

Doctors say Rex is one lucky dog, had the bullet gone either way another quarter of an inch, it might've ended his career. Dr Dennis Henson, Woodland Animal Clinic: "As I understand it, it went in one side of his wrist and out the other, just under the ligament and over the phone.â€

With no broken bones or torn ligaments, Rex's prognosis is good. He could be ready to get back to work in about three weeks. Of course, it will also depend on how he reacts now that he's faced gunfire at close range.

What won't change is the way Rex and his partner react to one another, a bond few people understand. "You see it in the movies, you see it on TV shows, but, in real life, these officers depend on them real heavily."

Rex is the first Tulsa Police dog shot in the line of duty in some 20 years. Even though Rex already had some arthritis in the leg that got shot, doctors believe, he'll make a full recovery and physically at least, should be able to get back to work, tracking, chasing and catching criminals.