POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – A Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 is back home after being critically injured in a shooting involving deputies last week.
Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd, was shot in the front left leg Thursday night while helping deputies. The injury broke his leg and damaged an artery, causing serious blood loss, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Ace was first taken to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, where staff stopped the bleeding and stabilized him. He was then flown by Tampa General Hospital’s Aeromed helicopter to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton.
Veterinarians performed surgery to amputate Ace’s left front leg, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office shared today that Ace was released and returned home. Officials said he tried to walk shortly after waking from anesthesia and was eager to leave the veterinary center.
Ace’s handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, provided care after the shooting and carried him to safety, the sheriff’s office shared.
The sheriff’s office said the suspect who shot Ace was eliminated by Ace’s handler and two other deputies at the scene.
Law enforcement agencies and first responders from across the region joined the sheriff’s office in welcoming Ace home Sunday.
Copyright 2026 WWSB. All rights reserved.