Authorities anticipate being able to share more information about Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax next week as he continues to improve physically and is “so grateful” for the community’s support.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday morning that Dax continues to improve physically and he “has been so grateful for the community’s support!”
“Heโs received so much love – thank you!” the sheriff’s office said.
Dax will undergo additional testing and therapy this coming week and the sheriff’s office will share more information after that occurs.
Last week, officials said Dax had regained some mobility in his hind legs.
The sheriff’s office also posted a video on social media of Dax walking on a treadmill as part of his rehabilitation.
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.