Authorities say injured Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax has a “long road to recovery” but his diagnosis is still unknown as they released a video Friday of him undergoing rehab.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office published a “Happy Friday Update” and said Dax is continuing rehabilitation.
He has regained some mobility in his hind legs, the sheriff’s office said.
“Thank you for your continued support, well-wishes, and prayers โ they have been paying off!” the sheriff’s office said.
Dax will undergo testing next week and a diagnosis is possible at that time.
The sheriff’s office also posted a video on social media of Dax walking on a treadmill.
Early in the morning on March 4, Dax and his handler Deputy John Forlenza were requested to track a fleeing suspect.
The Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Police Department had pursued a stolen vehicle driven by the suspect, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The driver crashed the stolen car in the 41000 block of North Green Bay Road in unincorporated Zion after striking a police squad.
The suspect was believed to be hiding in a wooded area after fleeing from the car.
Covelli said that Dax and Forlenza arrived at the scene and Forlenza gave announcements warning the offender to surrender.
Dax began barking to further warn the suspect.
The offender refused to surrender or make himself known, Covelli said. A brief track occurred and Dax located the suspect hiding in the woods.
Dax bit the offender in the torso area and he subsequently surrendered.
The offender, later identified as a 16-year-old Zion juvenile, was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for the bite, Covelli said.
During the apprehension, Dax sustained an injury resulting in him not being able to bear weight on his hind legs.
Dax has been receiving acupuncture to help reduce the swelling in his neck and spine.