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A Tombstone deputy marshal shot and killed his K-9 partner Tuesday after the dog aggressively bit him and would not release its grip, according to the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy Marshal John Cody was working an overnight shift with his 2-year-old K-9, Hawk, when the shooting occurred.
The attack by Hawk occurred about 5 a.m. at the Tombstone Marshal's Office. The police dog latched onto Cody's leg and refused to let go. The attack caused serious injuries to Cody's ankle and leg, the sheriff's department said in a news release.
Cody was able to run to a bathroom and partially close the door in an attempt to release Hawk's grip on his leg. When that failed, the marshal shot and killed the dog, the release said.
Cody was flown to a Tucson hospital for treatment and was released later that evening. He remains off-duty on medical leave during the investigation, the release says.
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His K-9 partner's body was taken to a facility for a necropsy.
The investigation into the shooting continues, and the department has enlisted assistance from an expert in Tucson to provide an assessment of the incident and an overview of the program, the department said.
"We value our K-9 program and handlers," said Marshal Jim Adams. "And we are confident a thorough and objective evaluation of this unfortunate incident will be completed by the sheriff's office."
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