<\/p>\n
One of Appie\u2019s upper front legs was shattered in two places.<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale Police Department<\/p>\n
Newly released video shows the moment a Fort Lauderdale K-9 officer was shot while pursuing a burglary suspect, followed by the handler\u2019s emotional exchange with his dog while driving him to the emergency clinic.<\/p>\n
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department released footage detailing how the officers captured the suspect, Christian Bouie.<\/p>\n
Officers searched a home on Saturday night near 1600 NW 16th Court for Bouie.<\/p>\n
\u201cFLPD, show yourself,\u201d an officer called out.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we have him. He\u2019s in a tree,\u201d a pilot can be heard saying.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when the K-9, Appie, went to work. Police say Bouie shot the dog, shattering one of his upper front legs in two places.<\/p>\n
The K-9 handler rushed Appie to an emergency clinic, sharing an emotional moment in the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dog has been shot,\u201d the K-9 handler said. \u201cBuddy, I love you. I love you, bud.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a five-hour surgery, Appie received a hero\u2019s welcome back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we celebrate not just survival, but heroism,\u201d Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bill Schultz said. \u201cAppie, he is, and always will be our canine hero.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another K-9 helped take down Bouie. The department is weighing whether Appie will return to duty.<\/p>\n